pediatric journal

Convulsion with Kawasaki Disease (KD) in Infancy

Author
Katsuhiko Yamada^1), Takao Morinobu¹⁾, Toshiyuki Horiuchi¹⁾, Shinji Yamamoto^1), Wakaba Morinobu^1), Munenori Miyake^2), Makoto Mino^1), and Hiroshi Tamai^3)
1)Seikeikai Hospital
²⁾Nagisa Clinic
³⁾Department of Pediatrics, OsakaMedical College

Abstract

Neurological complications have occasionally been reported in KD, as febrile convulsion (FC), encephalitis, meningitis, EEG abnormality, and facial palsy. FC is one of the most frequent neurological symptoms. We noticed that FC was an early symptom of KD in early infants. Methods: We examined the clinical manifestation and laboratory data from the records of 26 KD patients. In addition, we comparatively examined 50 infants who had FC and were admitted to our hospital from 2003 to 2005. Results: Five patients out of 26 KD expressed FC. All children were under 7 months of age (mean age: 3 months). Two of them showed other neurological symptoms; aseptic meningitis and facial palsy. Whereas, 10% of infant patients with FC were diagnosed with KD. The onset of FC of KD was relatively later than that of FC of viral infection. Conclusion: FC in early infant period can be due to KD. We must carefully observe and assess the clinical signs of FC infants carefully and try to diagnose KD earlier. This can lead to adequate treatment of KD. We are also assessing IL-6 in KD patients who exhibit neurological symptoms.