KDF Latest News

After we shared a recent study exploring the possibility of an unidentified virus as the cause of Kawasaki Disease, we received many thoughtful comments, questions, and concerns from our community. We’re grateful for your engagement and curiosity. To provide clarity and context, Dr. Anne H. Rowley, who led the study, offered a detailed explanation addressing […]

Ask the KD Experts: Why is Kawasaki disease less commonly treated with steroids? While it’s not common for Rady Children’s Hospital to treat Kawasaki disease (KD) with steroids, the use of steroids in combination with IVIG continues to be used around the world for children with aneurysms and with treatment-resistant KD. In San Diego, many […]

2024 Kawasaki Disease Parent Symposium Q&A Questions (Transcribed) Q: How can families participate in the KD genetic studies? Who qualifies to enroll and how? A: Currently, DNA studies are focused on patients with aneurysms. Families with a child who has aneurysms and wish to participate can request a mouthwash kit for at-home testing; a swab […]

2022 UCSD KD Parent Symposium Q&A Session  Watch the annual Kawasaki Disease Parent Symposium hosted by the University of California San Diego, Kawasaki Disease Research Center via the link below, or scroll down to read the transcribed questions and answers asked during the Q&A session 1. WATCH VIDEO>> Q&A Session 1- Kawasaki Disease Parent Symposium, […]

Ask the KD Experts: Are there any updates on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for children and adults with a history of Kawasaki disease? New inquiries regarding updates on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in children and adults with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) have been submitted to the KD Foundation over […]

Ask the KD Experts: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children and adults with a history of Kawasaki disease? The following update was provided by Jane Burns, M.D. Professor and Director, Kawasaki Disease Research Center. We understand that there may be concerns over the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in children and adults with a […]

2020 UCSD KD Parent Symposium (Virtual Event) Q&A Session  Watch the annual Kawasaki Disease Parent Symposium hosted by the University of California San Diego, Kawasaki Disease Research Center via the link below, or scroll down to read the transcribed questions and answers asked during the Q&A sessions. WATCH VIDEO>> KD Parent Symposium 2020 – Transcript […]

Ask the KD Experts: KD & COVID-19 Update The following update was provided by Jane Burns, M.D. Professor and Director, Kawasaki Disease Research Center. June 23, 2020 1. KD patients who are well, healthy people, with normal functioning hearts are at no increased risk over the general population of any complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. 2. […]

Dear KD Parents, There has been a lot of recent media attention regarding a pediatric inflammatory shock syndrome linked to COVID-19 that appears to affect a few patients who share some features of Kawasaki Disease, including coronary artery aneurysms and favorable response to IVIG. Due to the flood of inquiries that we have been receiving […]

Ask the KD Experts: KD & COVID-19 Latest News Dear KD Parents, We wanted to reach out to provide information and reassurance to our KD parents in light of new information that is emerging about children who develop a severe shock syndrome with some features of KD that appears related to the new coronavirus illness, […]

Ask the KD Experts: Biomarkers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Kawasaki Disease Patients Years After Initial Presentation With Low Ejection Fraction Question: Can you please explain the results of a recent study published titled “Biomarkers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Kawasaki Disease Patients Years After Initial Presentation With Low Ejection Fraction”? Answer: The study results […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19 Question: Is my KD child more at risk to COVID-19 than the general population? Answer: Children who have had KD go on to be immunologically normal in their response to viruses, vaccines, and other reactions to their environment. While there are certain apparent genetic links to atopic […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Z Scores Question: What is a Z score? Answer: A Z score normalized for body surface area represents how much larger (or smaller) a measured coronary artery internal diameter is compared to the average coronary artery diameter for a child of the same size (body surface area includes both […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease an Autoimmune Disease? Question: Is Kawasaki disease an autoimmune disease? Answer: The term “autoimmune” disease is used to describe diseases in which the primary immune response is to “self.” That means that the body’s immune response gets confused and starts attacking itself. Once that program is set in motion, […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Long Term Effects Question: My daughter is now 12. She had Kawasaki disease when she was four years old. After treatment and the follow-up tests, they determined that she did not suffer any permanent damage to her heart. She did her follow up visit five years later and, […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Hearing Loss Question: Our son was diagnosed with KD January 2007, he was 2 years 9 months old. After presenting with all the symptoms was treated with IVIG on the fifth day. The test came back normal and he was sent home two days later on low dose […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Calcium Testing Question: I had KD when I was 2. I am now 22 and have had several weird heart issues that they weren’t identifiable with an echo since then. I was just reading about other tests that can be done, such as the calcium test. Would that […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Vision Loss Question: I wanted to ask if you could please provide some feedback on vision loss due to KD. There’s been a story surfacing these past few days of a blind Paralympian who lost his vision to KD as a child. A link was shared on the […]

Ask the KD Experts: Kawasaki Disease and Vaccines Question: Hello. I was wondering if you can share any information regarding Kawasaki disease and immunizations after onset. My son is 16 years old. He had Kawasaki disease when he was 33 months old. I have been researching the HPV Virus vaccination and those who have side […]