Kawasaki Disease Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Support recovery and monitor for potential long-term effects.

• Ensure adequate rest during the acute phase of the illness and recovery period to support the body's healing process.
• Maintain proper hydration, especially during fever, by encouraging fluid intake.
• Adhere strictly to all follow-up appointments and medical advice, particularly for cardiac monitoring, even after symptoms subside.

Medicinal Treatment

Reduce inflammation, prevent coronary artery damage, and manage symptoms.

• Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)· Administered into a vein, IVIG is a primary treatment that helps reduce inflammation and lower the risk of coronary artery aneurysms.
• Aspirin· High-dose aspirin is used initially to reduce fever and inflammation, followed by a lower dose to prevent blood clots once the fever subsides. (Note: Aspirin should only be given to children under 16 if prescribed by a healthcare professional).
• Corticosteroids· May be prescribed for individuals at higher risk of severe illness, such as babies under 6 months or those with persistent fever and inflammation, to further reduce inflammation.

Surgical Treatment

Address severe, long-term cardiac complications that may arise from untreated or complicated Kawasaki disease.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)· In rare cases where severe coronary artery aneurysms lead to significant narrowing or blockage, surgical bypass may be necessary to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Angioplasty or Stenting· For localized narrowing (stenosis) of coronary arteries resulting from Kawasaki disease, interventional cardiology procedures like angioplasty with or without stenting may be considered.
• Heart Transplantation· In extremely rare and severe cases of extensive, irreversible heart damage or failure due to Kawasaki disease complications, heart transplantation may be the only option.

Surgical interventions are typically not part of the acute treatment for Kawasaki disease but may be required years later to manage severe cardiac complications, such as large coronary artery aneurysms or significant coronary artery stenosis.