Dengue Fever Triggering Kawasaki Disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Kawasaki disease is a rare but serious condition in children.
• While various infections can trigger Kawasaki disease, dengue fever is an uncommon association.
• Understanding potential triggers is vital for timely diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• A 5-year-old girl presented with fever diagnosed as dengue fever.
• Following initial improvement, her fever persisted beyond the typical dengue duration.
• She met the diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease on the seventh day of illness.

Findings:

• The patient received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.
• The child demonstrated a satisfactory clinical response to the treatment.
• This case highlights a rare co-occurrence of dengue and Kawasaki disease.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider Kawasaki disease in children with persistent fever after a dengue diagnosis.
• Prompt recognition and treatment of Kawasaki disease are essential to prevent complications.
• This case broadens the differential diagnosis for persistent fever in dengue-endemic regions.