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The effect of Kawasaki disease on cognition and behavior

W J King1, A Schlieper, N Birdi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Univeristy of Ottawa, Canada. king@cheo.on.ca

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|May 12, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Children with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) show no long-term cognitive or academic deficits. However, KD patients exhibit increased internalizing and attentional behavior problems compared to siblings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease (KD) is a significant pediatric illness.
  • Long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae of KD require further investigation.
  • Understanding potential lasting effects is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess for long-term cognitive, academic, and behavioral deficits in children with a history of Kawasaki disease.
  • To compare outcomes of children with KD to a sibling control group.
  • To identify potential areas of concern for post-KD follow-up.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort analytic study was conducted.
  • Thirty-two patients with a history of Kawasaki disease were evaluated.
  • Cognitive, academic, and behavioral assessments were performed by a blinded psychometrist, with siblings serving as controls.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in cognitive or academic performance between children with KD and controls.
  • Parents reported significantly more internalizing and attentional behavior problems in children with KD compared to their siblings.
  • The risk of clinically significant behavioral issues was 3.3 times higher in the KD group.

Conclusions:

  • Kawasaki disease does not appear to impact long-term cognitive development or academic achievement.
  • Preliminary evidence suggests a potential deficit in internalizing and attentional behaviors following Kawasaki disease.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these behavioral findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

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