Kawasaki disease epidemic: pitfalls

Ital J Pediatr. 2020 Aug 27;46(1):121. doi: 10.1186/s13052-020-00887-4.

Abstract

Recent reports have described in the pediatric population a new type of hyperinflammatory response manifested following contact with SARS-CoV-2, with some of the clinical features attributable to Kawasaki disease (KD). The purpose of this commentary is to remark on a possible recent association between SARS-CoV-2 and KD. Although today little is known about the etiology of KD, the most accepted hypothesis is that of a probable viral etiology, therefore, even the SARS-CoV-2 virus could trigger, in genetically predisposed subjects, an exaggerated inflammatory response that is clinically evident like the one described in KD.

Keywords: Hyperinflammatory response; Kawasaki disease; Pediatric population; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / virology*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2