Management overview for Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is the most important cause of acquired cardiac disease (particularly coronary artery disease) in children in developed countries and requires specialist management. Management for Kawasaki disease involves:

• intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)
• low-dose aspirin if thrombocytosis is a feature
• high-dose aspirin as an anti-inflammatory drug
• adjunctive therapy for high-risk Kawasaki disease
• immunomodulatory drugs (typically systemic corticosteroids) for patients resistant to IVIg
• follow-up (eg echocardiography, long-term antiplatelet therapy [if indicated]).