To the Editor:
There has been a rise in the number of critically ill patients presenting with an unusual clinical picture; all have in common features of Kawasaki disease and a confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. According to Harahsheh et al, the diagnosis/treatment of Kawasaki disease was missed or delayed owing to the forced lockdown and doctors being focused on treating patients with COVID-19.1 A similar concern was shared by adult cardiologists, who observed a significant drop of admissions to coronary intensive care units because patients with acute myocardial infarction were afraid to risk infection should they need to come to the hospitals.2
Reports from Italy and the United Kingdom have highlighted a significant increase of Kawasaki disease cases in children positive for COVID-19 or even negative, but with a likely exposure to the infection. The number of admissions due to Kawasaki disease was reported to be a 30-fold increase compared with previous years during the same season.3 , 4 We agree with the conclusions by Harahsheh et al and emphasize a “call for action” for a prompt diagnosis and treatment as needed, with the aim of preventing Kawasaki-induced coronary artery aneurysms and related late complications.
References
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