[The probability of Kawasaki diseases in young patients with cardiac disorders--retrospective studies].

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in some countries. In Poland the diagnosis of KD is still rarely reported. KD is an acute systemic febrile illness of unknown aetiology, predominantly affecting children under five years of age. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery aneurysms and late cardiac complications.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to find out whether Kawasaki disease in childhood was the cause of cardiac disorders in young patients.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively studied 50 patients (ranging in age from 20 to 47 years; 34 males and 16 females) diagnosed in 1 Cardiac Department within one year. The patients were divided into three groups: group I--patients with ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure; group II--patients with cardiac arrhythmia and conduction abnormalities; group III--patients with congestive cardiomyopathy.

Results: Eighteen patients had rubella in childhood and in this group one person was under 5 years of age. Nineteen patients suffered from measles and in this group there were two persons under 5 years of age. Twenty-three persons in the study group confirmed acute febrile illness under 5 years of age lasting over 5 days. No cardiac symptoms occurred during the childhood febrile or exanthema illnesses. Five criteria (symptoms of Kawasaki disease) were fulfilled by 4 persons, 4 criteria--by 4 persons, 3 criteria--by 1 person, 2 criteria--by 3 persons, 1 criterion--by 6 persons. Nobody in the study population had signs of measles, rubella or scarlet fever. Nobody had coronary artery abnormalities detected by echocardiography. Twenty-six of 50 persons had coronary angiography--no coronary artery aneurysms or ectasia were detected.

Conclusions: Completing a more precise past history with the help of patient's parents was often impossible (death, distant place of residence). The verification of diagnosis on the basis of the obtained data is impossible. The most reliable data about diseases affecting children under 5 years of age would have been produced by additional investigations. They would have facilitated the retrospective recognition of the Kawasaki disease.