Kawasaki Disease in Children: Prevalence of Incomplete Forms and Cardiac Involvement

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Published Jun 21, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i06.6568
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Vol. 104 No. 06 (2026): Tunis Med Jun 2026

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Mabrouk Ben Othmen
Department of Pediatric D, Children Hospital of Bechir Hamza, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Houcem Hrizi
Department of Pediatric D, Children Hospital of Bechir Hamza, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Mohamed Jrad
Department of Pediatric D, Children Hospital of Bechir Hamza, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Leila Essaddam
Department of Pediatric D, Children Hospital of Bechir Hamza, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar,Tunis, Tunisia
Zohra Fitouri
Department of Pediatric D, Children Hospital of Bechir Hamza, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar,Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis in children, mainly affecting medium-sized vessels, with a predilection for the coronary arteries. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical and epidemiological changes have been reported in inflammatory diseases in children, including
KD. This study aims to describe the clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary characteristics of KD cases diagnosed in our unit since the post-COVID era.
Objective: To study the clinical, biological, ultrasound, and therapeutic characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) in a pediatric rheumatology unit in Tunisia.
Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective, single-center study including all cases of children diagnosed with KD between January 2020 and June 2025 and hospitalized in the pediatric rheumatology unit of the Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital in Tunis.
Results: We identified 20 cases of KD. There was a male predominance (sex ratio of 1.86). Typical forms accounted for 55% of cases. Coronary artery involvement was found in 45% of patients, with coronary Z-scores reaching 5.3. Five children had refractory MK. The outcome was favorable
in all cases. No deaths were reported.
Conclusion: Coronary artery involvement remains common in MK, even with early treatment, which affects the prognosis of the disease. Calculating Z-scores allows for accurate assessment of lesions. Regular echocardiographic follow-up remains essential to ensure optimal management of this condition.

Keywords:

Kawasaki, Immunoglobulines, coronary aneurysm, Child, Aspegic

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