# What is the most common age for developing Kawasaki disease? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/kawasaki-disease-most-common-age Language: en Category: pediatrics Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.242Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.242Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/kawasaki-disease-most-common-age Kawasaki disease is a rare inflammation that affects the blood vessels, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome [\[1\]](). Although it may affect older children and adults in some cases, the most common age for developing it is in children under five years old [\[1\]](). It is also more common among males than females [\[1\]](). ## What is Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki disease is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), where the immune system mistakenly attacks the blood vessels, leading to inflammation, narrowing, or blockage [\[1\]](). The exact cause of this remains not fully understood, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors, such as infections, may play a role [\[1\]](). It is important to note that Kawasaki disease is not contagious, meaning it cannot be transmitted from one child to another [\[1\]](). ## Symptoms of Kawasaki disease Symptoms of Kawasaki disease usually appear as a high fever that lasts for at least five days [\[1\]](). Other symptoms may include: - A skin rash that often appears on the back, chest, and groin area [\[1\]](). - Swelling of the hands and feet [\[1\]](). - Redness of the lips, lining of the mouth, tongue, palms, and soles of the feet [\[1\]](). - Conjunctivitis (pink eye) [\[1\]](). - Swollen lymph nodes in the neck [\[1\]](). If your child's fever lasts for 4 days, especially if it is accompanied by any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is essential to contact your child's healthcare provider immediately [\[1\]](). ## Complications of Kawasaki disease In some cases, Kawasaki disease can affect the walls of the coronary arteries, which are the arteries that supply the heart with blood and oxygen [\[1\]](). This can lead to: - Aneurysms (bulging and thinning of artery walls), which increases the risk of blood clots forming in the arteries [\[1\]](). If these clots are not treated, they may lead to a heart attack or internal bleeding [\[1\]](). - Inflammation of the heart [\[1\]](). - Heart valve problems [\[1\]](). Kawasaki disease can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, nervous system, and digestive system [\[1\]](). For more information about cardiac risks, you can visit [Kawasaki Disease: Long Fever and Coronary Artery Risk (Arabic)](). ## Diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease There is no specific test to diagnose Kawasaki disease [\[1\]](). The doctor makes the diagnosis based on a physical examination of the symptoms and signs, and may order blood and urine tests to rule out other diseases and check for signs of inflammation [\[1\]](). They may also order tests to assess heart health, such as an echocardiogram (echo) and an electrocardiogram (EKG) [\[1\]]() [\[2\]](). Kawasaki disease is usually treated in the hospital with an intravenous dose of immunoglobulin (IVIG) [\[1\]](). Treatment may also include aspirin, but you should not give aspirin to your child unless recommended by a healthcare provider, as it can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare and serious condition that affects the brain and liver in children [\[1\]](). In most cases, treatment is effective, but if not, the doctor may prescribe other medications to control the inflammation [\[1\]](). If the disease has affected your child's heart, they may need additional medications, surgery, or other medical procedures [\[1\]](). ## Medical references - [Kawasaki Disease]() - [Heart Tests Heart Tests]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/kawasaki-disease-most-common-age#answer