Which condition is characterized by inflammation in the walls of certain blood vessels?

Kawasaki disease is a condition specifically characterized by inflammation in the walls of blood vessels, also known as vasculitis. This disease primarily affects children and can lead to serious complications, particularly involving the coronary arteries. The inflammation can result in the dilation of these arteries and can potentially lead to coronary artery aneurysms if not identified and treated promptly.

In Kawasaki disease, the inflammation is systemic and often follows a pattern of symptoms such as fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and changes in the lymph nodes and mucous membranes. The diagnosis is made based on clinical criteria established for the recognition of the disease, which underlines the importance of timely identification for effective management.

Other conditions listed do involve inflammation but do not focus specifically on blood vessel walls to the same extent. For example, rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects joints and connective tissues rather than blood vessel walls specifically. Vasculitis in a broader sense does refer to inflammation of blood vessels; however, Kawasaki disease is a specific type of vasculitis that emphasizes its unique presentation and implications. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder related to blood clotting and doesn’t involve vascular inflammation at all. Hence, Kawasaki disease being a unique inflammatory condition affecting the walls of blood vessels aligns it directly with the specified characteristics of