Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a type of vasculitis. It affects small and medium-sized arteries, most commonly in children under five. It's sometimes called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (because it involves the mucous membrane).

Children with Kawasaki disease will feel unwell – they may have a high temperature, swollen glands in the neck (lymphadenopathy), an inflamed area around the eye and the mouth, and a skin rash similar to measles.

This condition is quite rare but can be serious if the arteries supplying the heart are inflamed (coronary arteritis). Up to 60% of people with Kawasaki disease have coronary arteritis.

Find out more about vasculitis.