Kawasaki disease
What is Kawasaki Disease?
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood vasculitis with life threatening potential. KD can cause heart damage (from coronary artery enlargement) in 25% of patients, particularly if treatment is delayed or not provided.
High-dose IVIg, used since the 1980s, is the only intervention shown to prevent the development of cardiac complications of KD and is recommended as first-line therapy. Yet, there is currently no national evidence-based treatment guideline and significant variability in the use of IVIg for KD in Australia.
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to trusted information for families and clinicians, you can read answers to the 'top 10' KD questions from our medical advisors and health practitioners here.
Our Team
Stream Lead: Prof David Burgner
Research Fellow: Dr Marie Ishida
Working Group:
-
Prof David Burgner
-
Dr Galappathige De Silva
-
Dr Laura Fanning
-
Mr Cameron Mates
-
Ms Shirley Mates
-
Prof Dennis Petrie
-
Ms Caitlin Russo
-
A/Prof Davinder Singh-Grewal
-
Mr Neil Waters
-
Prof Erica Wood
-
Dr Lauren Young
Our Research
OPTIMAL is working with clinicians, researchers and families to strengthen the evidence for treatment and prepare for future comparisons between IVIg and emerging targeted therapies.
Funded by the National Blood Authority and part of the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) research network, PAEDS-KD is the largest KD study ever conducted in Australia.
The study aims to improve our understanding of how Kawasaki disease is diagnosed and managed across Australia, including patterns of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, clinical outcomes and variations in care. By collecting contemporary, real-world data, PAEDS-KD will help identify opportunities to improve treatment and inform evidence-based care for children with Kawasaki disease.
Health economic analyses of PAEDS-KD data will provide valuable evidence on the the cost of care in Australia, in comparison to new targeted therapies.
