Morgans Hotel, Swansea has joined an international campaign, led in the UK by the Societi, the U.K. Foundation for Kawasaki Disease.
Societi says families need to know about Kawasaki Disease and is working to raise awareness in communities throughout the UK by encouraging families to know the signs and symptoms of Kawasaki Disease in children.
A fatal disease in up to 3% of cases if not treated, about a quarter of all children affected will go on to have lifelong heart damage, despite treatment.
Societi research shows around 1,500 UK hospital admissions for Kawasaki Disease will happen this year. Once considered a rare disease, incidence is rapidly rising globally, and it is now increasingly common.
The charity have called for urgent public awareness to reduce heart damage rates in children. They feel parents need to know about the rarely known condition so it is treated in the same way as other childhood diseases such as meningitis and measles.
A low awareness means however, that it’s often initially misdiagnosed, putting lives at risk.
The charity believe that an improved awareness will help to contribute to a quicker diagnosis and treatment and reduce the risk of serious lifelong heart damage in children.
Rachael McCormack, Founder of Societi said:
‘We are thrilled that Morgans Hotel will be shining a light on Kawasaki Disease and we are extremely grateful to them for their amazing support.
“Despite Kawasaki Disease being increasingly common, low public awareness means it’s often initially misdiagnosed, putting children’s hearts at risk.
“We need families to know about Kawasaki Disease so we can reduce the number of children suffering the devastating effects of serious and lifelong heart damage.
“We are so grateful to all the landmarks across the UK that are lighting up for International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day. They are helping us to protect children’s hearts, and that is just amazing”.
Professor Robert Tulloh is a paediatric cardiologist and Chair of Societi Foundation and an expert in Kawasaki Disease, he said:
“Early diagnosis and rapid treatment reduces the risk of children with Kawasaki Disease suffering from devastating heart damage. Awareness of the signs and symptoms in the UK will help significantly with this.
“The information that we are sharing aims to help parents and carers recognise when their poorly children might be suffering from Kawasaki Disease.
“When all parents and doctors alike are familiar with Kawasaki Disease, we will see a reduction in the rate of heart damage in children, as children will get the urgent treatment they need.”
[Lead image: Morgans Hotel Swansea]
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