Context

Kawasaki disease is generally considered a rare disease however it is becoming increasingly common with 1,000 hospital admissions per year in the UK, making it more common than measles and bacterial meningitis.
Kawasaki disease can be difficult to recognise, because the symptoms overlap with many other more common childhood illnesses.
Urgent recognition and prompt treatment is required. Delay can lead to permanent heart damage and death.
Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the UK, which may be preventable.
Kawasaki disease has gained increasing attention since the Covid-19 pandemic, with unhelpful terms such as “Kawasaki-like” causing confusion amongst parents and health professionals alike.