Kawasaki syndrome.

Preview Misdiagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome is common, because some of its signs (eg, unremitting fever, conjunctival injection, rash) resemble viral infection and there are no laboratory tests to establish the diagnosis. Dr Applegate illustrates features of the disease with a case report and summarizes currently favored treatment. She also stresses close follow-up, since Kawasaki syndrome has replaced acute rheumatic fever as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.