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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

No one knows what causes Kawasaki disease, but scientists don't believe the disease is contagious from person to person. A number of theories link the disease to bacteria, viruses or other environmental factors, but none has been proved. Certain genes may increase your child's susceptibility to Kawasaki disease.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Kawasaki disease. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec19/ch286/ch286d.html#sec19-ch286-ch286c-1987. Accessed Dec. 7, 2010.
  2. Harnden A, et al. Kawasaki disease. British Medical Journal. 2009;338:1514.
  3. Baker AL, et al. Kawasaki disease. Circulation. 2008;118:e110.
  4. Wood LE, et al. Kawasaki disease in children. Heart. 2009;95:787.
  5. Kawasaki Disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4634. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  6. Sundel R. Initial treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
DS00576 Jan. 28, 2011

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