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The pediatrician warns – in young children, the coronavirus can provoke a disease known as Kawasaki syndrome. The body’s immune response to the coronavirus poses a risk of developing immune vasculitis
In genetically sensitive patients, the virus may provoke the immune system to immune vasculitis, the clinical effect of which is Kawasaki syndrome, says pediatrician Zofia Szymanowska, who appeals to family doctors, paediatricians and infectious agents to closely monitor the child.
Pediatrician Zofia Szymanowska from the Provincial Specialist Children’s Hospital of st. Ludwika in Krakow described and diagnosed one of the first cases of Kawasaki’s disease in Poland.
On Thursday, the specialist called on family doctors, paediatricians and infectious agents to closely monitor children, because the symptoms of this disease may be confusing and indicate SARS-CoV-2 infection – the patient may have fever, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rash. The idea is for a child with COVID-19 not to receive treatment for Kawasaki disease (if it is not present) and vice versa. Successful treatment of Kawasaki disease it is possible if it is implemented up to 10 days after the first symptoms.
Check: What are the symptoms of coronavirus in children?
Kawasaki syndrome is rarely recognized in Poland
Dr Szymanowska pointed out that in Poland this disease is rarely recognized, but not at all rare, and currently doctors are recording more and more cases and associate it with the coronavirus epidemic.
“In genetically sensitive patients, the coronavirus may provoke the immune system to immune vasculitis, the clinical effect of which is Kawasaki syndrome” – said the pediatrician.
Kawasaki disease affects young children and is an acute inflammation of the small vessels which is potentially life-threatening. Doctors are alarming that overlooking it in childhood may result in a heart attack. For 3 children out of 100 it is fatal. Its causes are not fully known. It is believed that various microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi) as well as environmental factors can trigger the disease.
The disease occurs worldwide, in children of all races, most often those of Asian descent. According to American data, 1 in 80 children under the age of 5 with fever suffer from Kawasaki disease.
Kawasaki disease symptoms
Kawasaki syndrome is diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms that do not always coincide. These symptoms, known as diagnostic criteria, were defined by the Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki 50 years ago and are still valid today. So far, no specific diagnostic test for the disease has been developed.
Main clinical symptoms of Kawasaki disease These are: fever lasting more than 5 days, erythematous multiforme rash, non-exudative conjunctivitis (“rabbit eyes”), stomatitis, swelling and redness of the lips, erythema on the hands and feet, and unilateral lymphadenopathy in the neck. In laboratory studies, high indicators of the acute phase are observed: ESR, CRP, an increase in the number of neutrophils and platelets, moderate anemia, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes, aseptic pyuria.
In recent days, New York City officials issued a health alert amid the growing number of children admitted to hospitals with symptoms of Kawasaki disease. The disease, according to observers of the phenomenon, may be related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
“While the association of this syndrome with COVID-19 is not yet established, and not all of these cases have tested positive for DNA or serology for COVID-19, we ask everyone to contact us immediately if they see patients with the symptoms we have specified.” Oxiris Barbot, New York City Health Commissioner, called.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
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