February 11, 1999

Contact: Timothy McKernan, (619) 594-2588

 

World-renowned physician to lecture at SDSU

 

WHAT: "Kawasaki Disease: The Challenge of Discovering a New Disease

WHO: Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki, the physician who discovered the acute febrile illness that causes coronary artery aneurysms, heart attacks and sudden death in children.

WHEN: 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 16

WHERE: SDSU,s International Student Center, 55th and Aztec Circle Drive. Parking is available adjacent to the center.

BACKGROUND: Each year in the U.S., an estimated 10 children per 100,000 children less than 5 years of age will suffer from Kawasaki,s Disease. In San Diego County, that figure is doubled. San Diego county has the highest incidence of Kawasaki,s disease in the United States. Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki first described Kawasaki,s Disease in a series of 50 Japanese patients in 1967. Since, a great deal has been learned about this condition that has emerged as a leading cause of acquired heart disease and myocardial infarction in the pediatric age group. An estimated 15-25% of these children have suffered serious injury to their coronary arteries with the potential for accelerated atherogenesis and early onset of ischemic heart disease in young adulthood.