III. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Kawasaki's disease is a poorly understood condition that affects young children.

It causessevere inflammation in different areas of the body, including the heart and coronaryarteries.Scientists are not sure what causes inflammation of body organs seen in Kawasaki'sdisease. Many experts believe that a virus attacks the body, involving various organs andother tissues. Children with this disease have a severe flulike illness that usually goesaway within a week or two. Twenty percent of the children with Kawasaki's disease haveinflammation of the heart and coronary arteries.The skin is a soft outer covering of an animal, in particular a vertebrate. The adjectivecutaneous literally means "of the skin" (from Latin cutis , skin). In mammals, the skin isthe largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of ectodermaltissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Becauseit interfaces with the environment, skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens and excessive water loss. Its other functions are insulation, temperatureregulation, sensation, and the protection of vitamin B folates.Red rash usually first seen on the palms and soles that then spreads to involve the torsowithin a couple days. The most common appearance is a hive-like rash; however it mayalso resemble measles (morbilliform rash), erythemai multiforme or a scarletina likerash. It is more impressive on the hands and feet than the torso and the hands and feetgenerally develop some swelling as well.The heart may be affected in as many as one of five children who develop Kawasakidisease. Damage sometimes occurs to the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle (thecoronary arteries) and to the heart muscle itself. A weakening of a coronary artery canresult in an enlargement or swelling of the blood vessel wall (an aneurysm). Infants lessthan 1 year old are usually the most seriously ill and are at greatest risk for heartinvolvement. The acute phase of Kawasaki disease commonly lasts 10 to 14 days or more. Most children recover fully. The likelihood of developing coronary artery diseaselater in life is not known, and remains the subject of medical investigation.The tongue. Characteristics of strawberry tongue are sloughing of the filiform papillae(caused by the systemic inflammatory process) and persistence of the fungiform papillae,which form the "seeds" of the strawberry. Strawberry tongue is not specific to Kawasakidisease; it may also be present in streptococcal and staphylococcal toxin-mediateddisease.The lymph nodes . Edema is often seen in the hands and feet and the cervical lymphnodes are often enlarged.

IV. DEFINITION OF TERMSAbdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between thechest and the pelvis. Abnormal: Not normal. Deviating from the usual structure, position, condition, or behavior. In referring to a growth, abnormal may mean that it is cancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer ). Aspirin: A good example of a tradename that entered into the language, Aspirin wasonce the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid. Blood: The familiar red fluid in the body that contains white and red blood cells, platelets, proteins, and other elements. Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs throughthe mouth or nose due to muscle contraction, and then exhaled due to muscle relaxation. Coronary arteries: The vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen. Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms)and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: Electrocardiogram: A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Anelectrocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive procedure. Feet: The plural of foot, both an anatomic structure and a unit of measure. Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6degrees F. (37 degrees C.). Gamma globulin: A major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, includingmany of the most common antibodies circulating in the blood. Also calledimmunoglobulin G (IgG). Genetic:

Having to do with genes and genetic information. Gingivitis: Gum disease with inflammation of the gums. On inspection, the gums willappear red and puffy, and will usually bleed during tooth-brushing or dental examination.Treatment is by improved cleaning, with more-frequent and longer brushing and flossing.Antiseptic mouthwashes may also be recommended. Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. Heart muscle: A type of muscle with unique features only found in the heart. The heartmuscle, or cardiac muscle, is medically called the myocardium ("myo-" being the prefixdenoting muscle). Ibuprofen: A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain, swelling, and fever. Common brand names for Ibuprofen include Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin. Immune: Protected against infection. The Latin immunis means free, exempt.