PRINTER'S NO. 27

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

29

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, COHEN, VEREB, CUTLER, BAKER, HENNESSEY,

KIRKLAND, BISHOP, J. HARRIS, THOMAS, MILLARD, D. COSTA,

LONGIETTI, KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD, KIM, FARINA, DAVIS, HARHART,

Designating January 26, 2015, as "Kawasaki Disease Awareness

Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease, also known as Kawasaki Syndrome,

is a serious childhood illness that primarily affects the blood

vessels of young children and infants; and

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease is the number one cause of acquired

heart disease in children worldwide; and

WHEREAS, On January 26, 1961, Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki

discovered a pattern of symptoms that would later be named

Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease include a fever lasting

at least 5 days, red eyes, a rash across the body and swollen

hands, feet and lymph nodes; and

WHEREAS, As with most illnesses and diseases, timely

diagnosis and treatment is highly effective in preventing

further and more serious complications from Kawasaki Disease;

and

WHEREAS, Scientific studies have indicated that genetic

inheritance is an important risk factor of Kawasaki Disease; and

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease is most common in children one to

present in late winter and early spring; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 4,200 children in the

United States are diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease each year; and

WHEREAS, Lack of knowledge of Kawasaki Disease combined with

symptoms that can disappear have hampered diagnosis and

treatment efforts for those affected; 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

healthcare professionals; and