Kawasaki disease and alopecia areata: coincidence or a true association?

Pediatr Dermatol. 2012 Jul-Aug;29(4):532-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01527.x. Epub 2011 Sep 9.

Abstract

A 10-year-old boy presented with fever, stiff neck, and rash over the legs. During the course of his hospital stay, the clinical picture gradually evolved, and he met the criteria for Kawasaki disease (KD) on the seventh day of hospitalization. During this period, he also developed alopecia areata. He was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin, aspirin, and intralesional triamcinolone. This is the first case of alopecia areata with KD in the literature, and it does not appear to be a mere coincidence. We discuss the probable mechanisms of alopecia areata with KD, an association that has not been reported before.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Alopecia Areata / drug therapy
  • Alopecia Areata / etiology*
  • Alopecia Areata / immunology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / complications*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / immunology*
  • Triamcinolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Triamcinolone
  • Aspirin