Kawasaki+Disease

=Kawasaki Syndrome=


 * Description:**

Kawasaki Disease, formally known as Kawasaki syndrome, is a disease that makes the average sized arteries throughout the body swell. This is serious as this includes the coronary arteries, which power the heart muscles with oxygen-rich blood. Kawasaki Diseaase is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome as it effects lymph nodes, skin, and mucous membranes inside nose, mouth, and throat. The early symptoms as a high fever and skin blistering and peeling can be confusing and frightening for parents and medical service providers.


 * Applications:**

Given the rarity of the condition, health informatics can greatly increase the chances of diagnosing the diseaase. There is no known cause of Kawasaki disease, but scientists still do not believe the disease is contagious. There are many theories as the cause, although no conclusive evidence has been found. Health Informatics could increase the chances of detection if children present certain symptoms that may puzzle health providers. In stage one of the disease, symptoms could be but not limited to: In stage two: Risk factors such as:
 * High fever above 102.2 F (39 C) and lasting longer than five days.
 * Severe conjunctivitis (pink eye) without a discharge
 * Rash on the trunk (torso) and in genital region.
 * Red, dry, cracked lips and bright red, swollen tongue.
 * Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and soles of feet.
 * Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and perhaps somewhere else.
 * Irritability.
 * Peeling of skin on hands and feet, especially tips of fingers and toes, in large sheets.
 * Joint pain
 * Diarrhea
 * Vomiting
 * Abdominal pain
 * Children under five years old.
 * Boys are slightly more likely than girls to develop the condition.
 * Children of Asian heritage, like Japanese or Korean, have a larger incidence of the disease.


 * Web Resources:**

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 * Related Terminology:**

Kawasaki Syndrome/Disease - vascular swelling disease in children Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome - another name for Kawasaki disease as it effects lymph node system. Diagnosis - process of assigning a disease to a patient, made easier by Health Informatics


 * Citations/References:**

Mayo Clinic Staff (Feb 2014). Kawasaki disease. Retrieved from [] Medicinenet Doctoral Staff (OCt 2014). Kawasaki's Disease. Retrieved from []

A Kawasaki Heart (accessed by web on Oct 2014). Kawasaki disease or Mucocutaneous Lymph Nodes Syndrome. Retrieved from [] My Notes for USMLE - Kawasaki Syndrome (Feb 2014). Kawasaki disease. Retrieved from []
 * Graphics**: