Kawasaki Disease

-

Kawasaki Disease occurs mainly in children characterized by inflammation of medium sized arteries throughout the body. The inflammation affects the coronary arteries, the arteries supplying the heart muscles. Also known as muco cutaneous lymph gland syndrome as the lymph glands around the skin and the mucous membranes around the mouth swell. Initially, there is high grade fever, red eyes, rash on the body, red tongue, cracked lips, swollen red skin on the palms with peeling of skin. This may be followed by diarrhea, vomiting. There is accompanied joint pains. In very rare cases Corona infection may be followed by Kawasaki Disease. Boys under 5 years of age are more likely to get affected.


According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla a child specialist in Karachi, complications include inflammation of the coronary arteries that supply the heart, inflammation of the heart muscles or inflammation of heart valves. Inflammation of the coronary arteries can lead to weakening of the arteries and bulging of the artery walls leading to formation of aneurysm.  This can therefore lead to formation of blood clots leading to heart attacks which can be life threatening.

Treatment should begin as soon as possible. Intravenous immunoglobulins are given to prevent the inflammation as well as aspirin by mouth. Majority of the cases are treatable and very few develop complications.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Q/A session with Dr Mubina Agboatwalla

-
Image
  Q. Do children develop kidney stones ? If yes then what are the symptoms and how can they be treated. A. Yes children as young as one year can develop kidney stones. Generally the stones are small and are found either in the renal pelvis or ureter. As they move down the ureter they can cause severe shooting pain in the back or in the flanks. This generally occurs when the child does not drink enough water. Atleast 8 glasses of water should be taken. Renal colic happens specially in the summer months. The urine may contain small quantities of red blood cells. It may or may not be accompanied by a urine infection. The pain is extremely severe and a shooting type of pain. There may be associated vomiting. Plenty of water should be given to flush out the stones. In rare cases laser surgery can be done. Website - https://www.drmubinaagboatwalla.com/
Read more

Q/A session with Dr Mubina Agboatwalla - Epigastric Pain

-
Image
 Q. My 11 old daughter has severe pain in the abdomen below the sternum. What are the reasons and what can I Do about it. A. This pain below the sternum is known as epigastric pain. This pain due to gastritis and is common in young girls and boys as well as adults. It is due to inflammation of the gastric lining and due to increased acidity. It can occur due to a number of reasons but mainly by eating too much spicy and greasy food. Eating masala fries and chips or hot sauce. Drinking too much pepsi and other cola drinks damages the stomach lining. The pain occurs just below the sternum and ribs and is a sharp pain which increases on eating. The dull pain remains constantly. The child may feel nauseated or does not feel like eating. Most important is to avoid eating greasy and spicy food. Soda drinks should be avoided. Antacids should be given. Website Link -  https://www.drmubinaagboatwalla.com/
Read more

Epigastric Pain - Dr Mubina Agboatwalla

-
Image
 Epigastric pain means pain in the central abdomen just below the sternum and ribs. This type of pain originates in the first part of the stomach and is due to inflammation in the lining of the stomach due to gastritis. The pain may radiate up to the chest due to gastro oesophageal reflux. GERD. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. There maybe gases and bloating. It may be a dull type of deep seated pain or maybe be a sharp piercing pain. The pain is increased by eating spicy or greasy food or by drinking fizzy drinks. Increased acidity leads to this inflammation. Fast food, spicy food all leads to gastritis. There may or may not be accompanying diarrhea. The treatment is initially to take antacids and avoid spicy food. AS it occurs in older children , those above fifteen years can be given omeprazole. Website Link - http://www.drmubinaagboatwalla.com/
Read more