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Published on: May 24, 2016

Myocardial infarction and atypical Kawasaki disease in a 3-month-old infant

Trina L Peduzzi1, Raymond D Pitetti

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York, USA. tlpeduzzi@hotmail.com

Pediatric Emergency Care
|October 24, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing atypical Kawasaki disease (AKD) in children is challenging, often leading to delayed treatment and severe heart complications. Early recognition is crucial to prevent conditions like coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial infarction.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.
  • Atypical Kawasaki disease (AKD) presents diagnostic challenges, often delaying critical treatment.
  • Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of severe cardiovascular sequelae.

Observation:

  • A 3-month-old infant presented with cardiovascular collapse.
  • The infant was diagnosed with multiple coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial infarction.
  • These findings were attributed to undiagnosed atypical Kawasaki disease.

Findings:

  • Atypical Kawasaki disease can manifest with severe cardiovascular complications, including aneurysms and myocardial infarction.
  • Diagnostic criteria for KD and AKD are essential for timely intervention.
  • Cardiovascular collapse can be an initial presentation of AKD.

Implications:

  • Emphasizes the need for heightened clinical suspicion for AKD in infants presenting with cardiovascular compromise.
  • Highlights the importance of prompt echocardiographic evaluation in suspected cases.
  • Underscores the potential for severe cardiac morbidity if AKD is not recognized and treated early.

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