Kawasaki syndrome. An important consideration in the febrile child

Many aspects of Kawasaki syndrome remain a mystery. The cause of the disease has eluded researchers, and its pathophysiology is a subject of much debate. However, the diagnostic features have been identified: A significant fever for at least 5 days, bilateral nonexudative conjunctivitis, erythema of the palms and soles, a polymorphic diffuse rash, cervical lymphadenopathy, and injection of the mouth and oropharynx. The recently instituted treatment protocol of high-dose aspirin with gamma globulin (Gamastan, Gammar) helps patients recover more quickly and with fewer potentially life-threatening sequelae than does aspirin alone.