The mother of a 12-year-old boy has urged fellow parents to look out for the signs of a serious but little known condition which left her son with three aneurysms of the heart.

After developing a persistent fever accompanied by chapped lips, red eyes and aching limbs in August of this year, Finley Green was referred to hospital by doctors concerned for the schoolboy’s wellbeing.

Initially perplexed by Finley's symptoms, consultants made the decision to remove the child's appendix fearing it had become infected, it was soon established, however, that the pre-teen’s condition wasn’t as straightforward as medical professionals may have hoped.

After ten days, Finley was eventually correctly diagnosed as suffering from Kawasaki disease – a condition which is now the most common cause of acquired heart disease in the U.K.
 


Recalling the incredibly worrying period in late summer, Finley’s mum, Nicky, laments the delay in diagnosis, explaining that this led to complications which resulted in the development of heart aneurysms.

Urging parents to be on the look-out for signs of the illness, the 40-year-old mum said: “The main things to look for are the temperature not falling, the red eyes and tongue, and the chapped lips. Fin didn't get peeling hands and feet but that is also common.”

Insisting that a quick reaction time is vital in the case of Kawasaki disease, Nicky continues: “If you see them call your doctor straight away. It is important to diagnose this as soon as possible.”

The disease, which was first identified in Japan in the 1960s, has greatly effected Finley’s life as doctors insists on regular blood tests and check-ups.
 


In addition to this, Finley, who spent eight weeks in hospital, takes Warfarin – a blood thinning medication which negatively impacts on the schoolboy’s after-school activities.

Opening up about the implications of the diagnosis, sport enthusiast Finley admits: “I liked the sports curriculum and managed to get in the top class, but this has sucked the fun out of it.”

“I'm not allowed to do sports as I am on warfarin, so I have to catch up on my maths instead", he explains as mum Nicky reveals her son’s diagnosis also means he gets tired easily.
 


Commenting on the disease of which many families are unaware, Professor Michael Levin of Imperial College London stresses the importance of vigilance.

“Neither the public nor the medical and scientific community have adequately appreciated that Kawasaki disease is now the commonest cause of acquired heart disease in children in the UK and other developed countries.”

Professor Levin, who established new charity Kawasaki Disease Research, highlights the motivation for the organisation, explaining: “There is an urgent need for research to develop a diagnostic test for the disease, to identify the cause, and to evaluate new treatments.”

We’re wishing Finley all the best.

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