Kawasaki Disease and Polycythemia Vera
Kawasaki disease [7] or Kawasaki syndrome is a rare, acute febrile disease that mostly affects children under 5. It is characterized by fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, swelling of the hands and feet, and redness of the white part of the eyes. Irritation and inflammation of the mouth and throat are also common.
Kawasaki disease causes a widespread inflammation of the blood vessels. The cause of this disease is not known, but it can cause the population of platelets in the blood to increase [8].
Thrombocytosis may also be caused by chronic myleoproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera [9]. Chronic myleoproliferative disorders result in the production of too many blood cells in the bone marrow.
Polycythemia vera causes an overproduction of platelets in the bone marrow. In some cases, this elevated platelet count may be severe enough to trigger blood clot formation. This condition can affect people of any age but it is mostly seen in people over 60. It is rarely seen in people below 40 years. It is also more common in women.