Kawasaki disease shock syndrome: a rare and severe complication of Kawasaki disease

Abstract

Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis that occurs most commonly in young children. It affects medium-sized muscular arteries and the coronary arteries are the predominant site of involvement. Morbidity and mortality is generally due to coronary artery aneurysms that develop during the chronic phase. Although it is well known that Kawasaki disease can cause myocarditis, tachycardia and heart failure during acute stage, Kawasaki disease shock syndrome has been recently described. It is characterized by hypotension, signs and symptoms of poor perfusion and a shock-like state. Herein we describe two cases of Kawasaki disease shock syndrome that were treated in the pediatric intensive care unit and followed a course without morbidity or mortality.