'Rare' Kawasaki disease in children 'linked' to coronavirus becoming 'more common' -expert
THE "rare" Kawaski disease in children under five, which some have suggested may bear a link to coronavirus is generally "more common around this time of year", an expert has claimed.
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Professor Joy Lawn from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine explained that there are more cases of Kawasaki syndrome this time of year. While on LBC with Shelagh Fogarty, Professor Lawn explained that the syndrome could make children very unwell. She explained that more research is still being done into the proposed link between Kawasaki and COVID-19.
Ms Fogarty said: "In the last few days there has been concern over an emerging syndrome in children.
"Something called Kawaski syndrome which is typically quite rare in children.
"It is an all-body inflammatory condition that can follow a virus.
"Talk to me about that and how it might link to COVID-19."
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Professor Lawn explained the disease and what implications it has on the body.
She said: "It is a syndrome which really affects every part of a child's body.
"The skin becomes red and inflamed, the baby or child can get quite unwell.
"We don't always understand the cause but the most likely precipitant is after a virus.
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"It is very rare but it is more common around this time of year."
Professor Lawn noted the Kawasaki syndrome has not only been confirmed in the UK but in Italy as well.
She said: "In northern Italy, there were a number of reported cases and the UK has seen several cases.
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"Just to be clear, it is still extremely rare and I think we are at 20 reported cases.
"Not all the children tested positive for COVID-19 but of course we do get false tests, and if it's afterwards - you may miss.
"This is something to look out for but in terms of what parents should really worry about I think we have got a lot of things to worry about.
"Remember this is something that is not common but something we should be looking out for."