Date
2024
Program
Master of Science
Subject
Education Medicine and health sciences Cardiovascular sciences Pediatric care Knowledge translation
Abstract
Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory condition that impacts the walls of blood vessels, potentially leading to acquired heart disease. Notably, Canada exhibits the highest incidence of KD among children below the age of 5 from the Western countries. Early treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is effective in preventing coronary artery issues, but untreated cases can result in coronary artery aneurysms, which can cause severe heart conditions. Aim/Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to understand which populations are more susceptible to KD, available screening options and long-term patient support, and educational resources provided to patients, families, and healthcare providers. Methods: Articles from PubMed and Google Scholar databases were assessed between January 2000 and November 2023. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 34 articles were extracted. Results: Our findings indicate a higher KD prevalence among young children and individuals of East Asian descent. The literature highlighted a need for improved public and healthcare provider education, particularly regarding parental advocacy and sharing of KD diagnostic guidelines by physicians. There is also a gap in the long-term support for KD patients, particularly after disease treatment. Discussion: The need for an improved understanding of diagnostic criteria and the development of digital educational resources for KD research was emphasized. Conclusion: Public and professional education, combined with long-term patient support, can improve outcomes for KD patients and alleviate the burden on the Canadian healthcare system.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. H. Noyan, Dr. N. Campbell, and the IMS team for their ongoing support.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License