Kawasaki syndrome was first described by a Japanese professor in 1967. We still don't know what causes it, but it affects the smallest blood vessels and lymph glands throughout the body - hence the red hands, feet, lips and eyes, and the tender neck and stomach. The blood tests that confirmed Kawasaki included a 'platelet count'. He had many more platelets in his bloodstream than normal. And that is where the danger comes in.
Platelets are there to help the blood clot.
With too many platelets, blood tends to clot in awkward and even dangerous places, like the coronary arteries. In nearly a third of all children with Kawasaki syndrome, the coronary arteries are affected. They even develop heart attacks that can leave their hearts damaged - unless they get fast treatment. That is the best and fastest way to stop platelets from causing clots. After the first dose of aspirin, my little patient became much better.