[Relapse of Kawasaki disease: a case report]

Reports of the relapse in Kawasaki disease is rare in the literature. Prior to this study, it had never been reported in Taiwan. In November 1986, a 15-month-old boy developed a persistent high fever, dry red lips, conjunctivitis, neck lymph node swelling, erythema, indurated edema and desquamation of the perianal area and in areas of the palms and soles. A diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was made. Two dimensional echocardiography and cineangiography disclosed a fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the right and left coronary arteries. He was treated with aspirin for 7 months. Nine months after the first attack of the illness, he again developed a persistent moderate rise of temperature, conjunctivitis, red lips, reddish swelling and desquamation of his palms. He was suffering from a second attack of Kawasaki disease. When comparing the clinical manifestations observed during the first attack and during the relapse of Kawasaki disease in this case, the duration of fever was found to be shorter and the severity of swelling and desquamation of palms milder.