Kawasaki disease

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. an acute illness of unknown cause, occurring primarily in children, characterized by high fever, swollen lymph glands, rash, redness in mouth and throat, and joint pain.

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Etymology

Origin of Kawasaki disease

1980–85; after Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki, who first described it

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Kawasaki disease

"There isn't a test for it and the treatment can have risks as well, so they can't start giving it to young children unless they absolutely know it's Kawasaki disease," explains Ashleigh.

From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2026

Here are the important things to know about Kawasaki disease.

From New York Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

The syndrome appears to have some similarities with Kawasaki disease and can cause problems with a child’s heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 26, 2021

Although MIS-C is new, doctors can treat it with decades-old therapies used for Kawasaki disease, a pediatric syndrome that also causes systemic inflammation.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 22, 2021

They’ve learned that—contrary to some early suspicions—it appears distinct from Kawasaki disease, a rare inflammatory reaction thought to strike young children after unknown infections.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 18, 2021