Intestinal pseudoobstruction in Kawasaki disease

Intestinal pseudoobstruction is an uncommon but important manifestation of Kawasaki disease. Its occurrence at the onset or during the course of the disease may confuse the clinical picture and cause delay in diagnosis and treatment. This delay may be responsible for the high rate of coronary artery abnormalities that have been reported in patients with this complication. We suggest that Kawasaki disease be considered in the differential diagnosis of any child presenting with intestinal pseudoobstruction and fever without definable cause.