Charity aiming to raise awareness of Kawasaki Disease

A charity based in Winthorpe is raising awareness of an increasingly common disease which is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in UK children.

Societi, the UK Foundation for Kawasaki Disease, is stepping up efforts to grow awareness of the disease and encourage urgent action when treating it.

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of heart disease in children in the western world, out of those which are acquired after birth.

Societi, which is based on Holme Lane, said about a third of treated children still had heart damage, which was often due to slow detection rates and delayed treatment.

It has launched its campaign today, on International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day.

Kawasaki Disease can affect people of any age, but the under-five age group is most vulnerable.

A recent UK and Ireland study showed that on average, children waited over seven days for treatment between 2013 and 2015.

The study showed a link between later treatment and poorer outcomes with those children treated at ten days of illness having a significantly greater risk of serious, lifelong heart damage.

The charity said slow treatment and low levels of awareness of Kawasaki Disease were putting hundreds of children's hearts at risk every year.

Professor Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "Spotting the signs early and getting treatment quickly is key to limiting the potentially devastating effects of Kawasaki Disease. With better awareness by medical professionals and parents, the condition is more likely to be recognised early. The sooner treatment starts the more likely a better outcome."

The symptoms of Kawasaki disease can be remembered using the TEMPERS mnemonic: Temperature - a persistent high fever; Erythema - reddened hands and feet with swelling; Mouth - dry, sore mouth, cracked lips and a strawberry tongue; Pace - treat early to reduce potential heart damage; Eyes - bloodshot, non-sticky conjunctivitis; Rash and Swollen glands in neck.

If children have a persistent fever and two or more of these symptoms they should consider whether it is Kawasaki disease.