Kawasaki disease - Causes of Kawasaki disease

The cause of Kawasaki disease is not fully understood, but the condition is thought to be caused by an infection.

Infection

The symptoms of Kawasaki disease are similar to those of an infection. This means that bacteria or a virus may be responsible. However, so far, a bacterial or viral cause hasn't been identified.

As Kawasaki disease isn't contagious, it can't be passed from one person to another. Therefore, it is unlikely to be caused by a virus alone.

Kawasaki disease doesn't usually affect babies under six months old, although sometimes very young children can develop the condition. This suggests that newborn babies are protected by antibodies passed on to them by their mother, either before birth or during breastfeeding. Antibodies are proteins that destroy disease-carrying organisms.

As few older children and adults are affected by Kawasaki disease, they may be immune to whatever causes it. While many people are exposed to Kawasaki disease, only a few go on to develop the symptoms.

Genetics

The children who develop Kawasaki disease may be genetically predisposed to it. This means that the genes they inherit from their parents may make them more likely to get the condition.

One theory is that rather than there being a single gene responsible for Kawasaki disease, it may be the result of many genes that each slightly increase the chances of a child developing the condition.

Other theories

One theory is that Kawasaki disease may be an autoimmune condition (where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs).

Other theories suggest Kawasaki disease may be a reaction to certain medications, or environmental pollutants such as chemicals or toxins (poisons).