A new science advisory from the American Heart Association highlights the urgent need for global collaboration to reduce the risk of serious heart conditions in children with Kawasaki disease. Published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the advisory stresses that while Kawasaki disease is highly treatable, delayed diagnosis and limited access to care remain major barriers worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Kawasaki disease is a rare but serious illness that primarily affects children under five. It causes inflammation of blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries, and is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. Symptoms include fever, rash, red lips, and strawberry tongue. Prompt treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can reduce the risk of coronary artery aneurysms from about 25% to less than 5%, but without treatment, the risk remains significant.
“Kawasaki disease is highly treatable, yet too many children around the world face delayed diagnosis or limited access to care,” said Dr. Ashraf S. Harahsheh, chair of the advisory writing group and director of the Kawasaki Disease Program at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. “This science advisory underscores the power of international collaboration to advance research and improve care for patients everywhere.”
Although the cause of Kawasaki disease remains unknown, it is suspected to be an abnormal immune response to an infectious trigger in genetically susceptible children. The disease occurs 10-30 times more often in East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan, according to a 2024 American Heart Association scientific statement. In the U.S., more than 4,200 children are diagnosed each year.
The advisory calls for a global, harmonized approach to care that includes sharing data, expertise, and best practices. It notes that while collaborative networks have improved outcomes in economically advanced countries, most of these networks lack formal funding, particularly in LMICs. Effective collaboration must account for cultural, linguistic, and resource differences, and should include patients, families, and advocacy groups.
“When hospitals and health systems work together and compare how well they are doing, it can help identify local or regional challenges—such as gaps in resources or access to care—that need to be addressed,” Harahsheh said. Future efforts should focus on building local expertise, mentoring clinical leaders, and strengthening care systems in LMICs.
The advisory was prepared by the American Heart Association’s Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, Kawasaki Disease Committee of the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young. It does not make treatment recommendations but informs the development of scientific statements and guidelines.
For more information, see the full advisory in the Journal of the American Heart Association at https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/jaha.
