PRINTER'S NO. 150
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
41
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, READSHAW, WATSON, MURT, HENNESSEY,
DRISCOLL, MATZIE, LONGIETTI, DUSH, SONNEY, CALTAGIRONE,
BOBACK, DOWLING, SCHLOSSBERG, DAVIS, KINSEY, WARD, BAKER,
NEILSON, DiGIROLAMO, MILLARD AND MILNE, JANUARY 24, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating January 26, 2017, as "Kawasaki Disease Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Kawasaki disease, also known as Kawasaki syndrome,
is a serious illness characterized by inflammation of blood
vessels throughout the body that primarily affects young
children and infants; and
WHEREAS, On January 26, 1961, Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki, a
Japanese pediatrician, discovered a pattern of symptoms that
would later be named Kawasaki disease; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a fever lasting
at least five days, red bloodshot eyes, rash, inflammation of
the mouth, lips and throat and swollen hands, feet and lymph
nodes; and
WHEREAS, The first cases of Kawasaki disease reported outside
of Japan were in Hawaii in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Although Kawasaki disease is more prevalent among
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children of Asian and Pacific Island descent, this illness
affects all racial and ethnic groups; and
WHEREAS, Kawasaki disease is more prevalent in male children
than female children; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 75% of Kawasaki disease patients are
under five years of age and the majority of cases are diagnosed
in winter and early spring; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
provides that approximately 3,277 children under the age of five
were hospitalized with Kawasaki disease in 2000, and that number
increased to 4,040 in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Without the standard treatment of intravenous
immunoglobulin and aspirin, approximately 25% of children who
suffer from Kawasaki disease develop heart disease involving the
coronary arteries; and
WHEREAS, Kawasaki disease is the number one cause of acquired
heart disease in children worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Timely diagnosis and treatment is highly effective
in preventing coronary complications from Kawasaki disease; and
WHEREAS, The precise cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown,
and there is no test to definitively diagnose cases; and
WHEREAS, Lack of awareness among the public and health care
professionals may contribute to the underdiagnosis of Kawasaki
disease; and
WHEREAS, The growing prevalence of Kawasaki disease and the
risk of severe, life-threatening consequences expose the need
for further education for the general public, parents and health
care professionals; and
WHEREAS, January 26, 2017, marks the 56th anniversary of the
discovery of Kawasaki disease; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate January
26, 2017, as "Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania
and recognize the importance of awareness in diagnosing and
properly treating cases of Kawasaki disease.
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