To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to discuss different levels of desquamation associated with the clinical symptoms and signs of KD. Epidermal turnover and desquamation are natural processes in mammals [8], but some diseases may progress these processes. For example, the toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus is related to the cleavage of keratinocyte junction and cell-to-cell adhesion in the epidermis [9], which may cause Staphylococcus aureus scalded skin syndrome. The activation of cutaneous T cells induced by the superantigen of streptococcus results in upregulating skin-homing capacity, and the rash of scarlet fever is followed by peeling in response to cytokine release and activated T-cell infiltration [10]. Hand-foot-mouth disease caused by the enterovirus also contributes to skin desquamation, but the related pathophysiology remains poorly understood [11, 12]. The characteristics of common pediatric diseases involving fever and desquamation are compared in Table 5 [7, 11, 13–20].
Table 5
The characteristics of common pediatrics diseases involving fever and desquamation
Disease | Kawasaki disease (KD) | Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) | Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) | Scarlet fever |
Pathogen | unknown | Staphylococcus aureus | Enterovirus | Group A streptococcus |
Clinical features of desquamation | Periungual, start at the tips of fingers and toes, often multiple-digits involvement Perineal desquamation | The erythema and blister typically start on the face and flexures (groin, axillae, neck), follow by desquamation on bullae sites | Small vesicles and papules of the distal extremities and buttocks Desquamation often found at the sites of rashes, palms and soles | Rashes with sandpaper texture, start on the trunk and spreads out Pastia’s lines* Desquamation follows after skin rash |
* Pastia’s lines: The rash is accentuated in flexures (eg, the antecubital fossae and axillae) |
Hand and foot desquamation have distinct characteristics in this study. The desquamation in KD mostly occurred during the convalescent phase of the disease [21]. We did not observe any significant difference in the laboratory findings between patients with and those without desquamation. However, we further classified patients into hand or foot desquamation and began to observe differences. Hand desquamation was associated with older age, and high-grade hand peeling was related to older age, elevated segmented WBC percentage, and lower lymphocyte and monocyte percentages. Meanwhile, foot desquamation was associated with elevated CRP and AST, and high-grade foot desquamation was related to increased WBC count. In the AHA diagnosis criteria of atypical KD, supplemental laboratory tests include WBC count, CRP, and ALT level, all of which indicate the inflammation status of KD. Wang et al. revealed desquamation positive KD patients had lower WBC counts, higher band-form percentage, and elevated ALT level, but the age, gender, percentage neutrophils, hemoglobulin, CRP, and platelet count were similar [6]. In another study analyzing desquamation in KD, Kim et al. revealed that patients with desquamation had higher platelet counts and elevated AST and ALT [7]. In our study, the WBC counts were only associated with high-level foot desquamation; in contrast, higher AST levels were negatively related to foot desquamation. Both the band-form percentage and ALT level were similar in our subgroups. The two aforementioned studies did not further discuss differences in laboratory findings in peeling severity in either the hands or the feet.
Interestingly, we found that high-grade hand peeling was related to a decreased incidence of CAA formation. Kim et al. showed no difference between groups with or without desquamation regarding coronary artery lesions [7]. However, Wang et al. also indicated that cases who did not peel had a higher probability of aneurysm formation [6], and another study revealed that recurrent skin peeling in KD was significantly less frequent in patients with coronary dilatation or aneurysm formation [22]. Desquamation seems to have a protective effect on CAA formation. Although the mechanism is not clear, we suppose that the more cytokines released to facilitate skin peeling, the fewer inflammatory factors in coronary arteries. Further research is required to identify the pathophysiology.
This study had certain limitations. We conducted a retrospective review of medical records, and some cases of desquamation were identified based on the reporting of family history, both of which may have recall bias and variable accuracy. Furthermore, this study was a single center experience, which is not sufficient for reflecting the general condition nationwide. As for CAA formation, some patients who were diagnosed as having KD under 2 years of age, a longer echocardiography is needed to observe coronary artery changes. Both multi-center studies and longer follow-up times are needed to analyze the various grades of desquamation in KD with clinical features.