Should I Worry About the Mysterious Syndrome Showing Up in Kids?

What to know about Kawasaki disease

There are reports in cities around the world that some children are showing up to hospitals with signs of Kawasaki disease, which is a rare inflammatory disorder. Some experts are wondering if it could be related to the novel coronavirus, though not all children with the symptoms have tested positive for Covid-19.

Health authorities in New York say that 15 children between the ages of two and 15 have recently been hospitalized with symptoms that are associated with Kawasaki disease, or toxic shock, which is characterized by inflamed blood vessels. Symptoms of Kawasaki disease can include fever, rash, swelling of the hands and feet, irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, all the kids had a fever, and more than half had a rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Five of the kids needed ventilation. None of the children died.

The New York City Health Department shared that among the 15 kids, four tested positive for Covid-19 and 11 tested negative. But six tested positive with antibody tests. The health department recommends that kids with the condition be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (antibodies) and aspirin.

Similar reports have been made in countries like England. The World Health Organization has said that it is looking into the possible connection, but that overall, the cases seem very rare so far.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, but it is widely thought to be “due to infection or an abnormal immune response to infection.”