Kawasaki disease; rare; or misdiagnosed: A case report in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limiting, acute febrile vasculitis with predilection for children under-5 years. Most reports have emanated from Japan with only a few cases reported in Africa. KD presents a diagnostic dilemma and a high index of suspicion is critical as early treatment reduces the incidence of complications. We describe a 5-month-old male infant who presented with classical clinical features though with delayed diagnosis. Received moderate dose aspirin with limitation of access to intravenous immunoglobulin and who did not develop coronary artery complication. The case report highlights the diagnostic challenges faced by practitioners, made worse by the low index of suspicion inherent in our setting. The fatal complications that may be associated with KD can, therefore, be avoided. It is hoped that pediatricians in particular would become conversant with the diagnostic criteria to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention in children.