Abstract
Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is one of the most common vasculitides for children younger than 5 years old. Of unknown etiology that frequently affects small and medium-sized vessels in infants and children. Kawasaki disease is a common cause of acquired heart disease in children. Information on Kawasaki disease and its effects on blood vessels in Libya and other countries are lacking. Objective: This study aims to describe the demographic, time and clinical aspects of Kawasaki disease (KD) in a Libyan setting. It also examined the associations between the population selected at the initial presentation of acute KD and clinical and abnormal echocardiographic findings. Methods: This observational, retrospective clinical study was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology and Cardiology, Tripoli, Libya Children's Hospital; From January 2012 to December 2020. Patients with complete and incomplete KD were considered. The diagnostic criteria for KD are based on the recommendations of the European and American Heart Associations. Results: A total of 71 patients with KD were diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2020, more males (76.1%), aged 1-5 years (67.6%) higher than the younger and older age groups. Most of the problems identified are caused by Tripoli (67.6%) and usually occur for the first time in a public health centre; primary health care, followed by a referral to a tertiary hospital. The time distribution is spread over the seasons; however, the highest rate (40.8%) was reported in spring. Of the patients exposed to KD, 88.7% met the clinical criteria for full KD. Of the included cases, suspicious heart disease was confirmed in 16.9% by echocardiography, and 8 of 12 patients had vascular changes, 2 patients had dilatation but no aneurysm, and 1 patient had pericardial effusion. All of these were detected at the initial assessment and after 2 weeks of assessment. The number of abnormalities in 6-month and 1-year control echocardiography decreased to 8 (12.9%) out of 62 and 5 (12.5%) out of 40. Conclusion: Most patients completed diagnostic criteria to complete KD, and the presence of coronary artery abnormalities is consistent with other international studies. During the follow-up period, all patients were well and fully recovered and there were no deaths.