Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 August 2008
Two patients are described with sudden death as the first presenting symptom of Kawasaki disease. The first patient died of cardiac tamponade as a result of rupture of a coronary arterial aneurysm at the age of three months and nineteen days. The second patient, one and half years old, developed acute myocardial infarction secondary to coronary arterial aneurysm and thrombosis. The true nature of their underlying disease was realized only after postmortem examination. Their clinical signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease might be so mild as to escape recognition. A high index of suspicion should be exercised by the clinician in order not to miss this condition, especially in places where Kawasaki disease is uncommon.