What are the complications of Kawasaki disease?
When untreated, Kawasaki disease can cause many serious problems including: Swelling of the heart muscle. The swelling can make the heart pump blood poorly. Problems with the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle. Weak, bulging areas, called aneurysms, can form in the artery. Blood can clot in an aneurysm and eventually block blood flow. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, the heart muscle can be damaged. About 20% of people who have Kawasaki disease will get coronary artery aneurysms. Other problems include joint swelling (arthritis), poor digestion, diarrhea, and gallbladder problems. Children with Kawasaki disease can also be very irritable.
