Kawasaki Disease: Exams And Tests

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Exams and Tests

Initial diagnosis

There is no specific test for Kawasaki disease, so diagnosing the disease can be difficult. Doctors use specific criteria developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) to diagnose Kawasaki disease.

Routine lab tests may be done to rule out Kawasaki disease. These tests may reveal another condition, usually a bacterial or viral infection. The most common tests are:

• A complete blood count. This test counts the number of red blood cells and white blood cells.
• Urinalysis. This test can help determine whether illness is present.
• Sedimentation rate. This blood test can help determine whether inflammation is present.

If your doctor suspects Kawasaki disease, he or she may order a C-reactive protein blood test to look for inflammation and an echocardiogram to check for heart problems.

Follow-up tests

Children who have had Kawasaki disease need to have a follow-up exam at 2 to 3 weeks and at 2 to 3 months after the initial disease. Tests done during the exam will include:

• Blood tests to monitor how well the medications are working.
• An echocardiogram to check heart functioning and to detect aneurysms of the coronary arteries.

On rare occasions, other tests are used to see whether there is damage to the heart.

• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) may be used to identify problems with the heart's electrical function.
• A chest X-ray helps check heart size and the chance of heart failure.
• A coronary angiogram may be done if the echocardiogram reveals problems with the coronary arteries.
• A stress test may be done to see how the heart responds to exercise.

Last updated:	February 09, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Stanford T. Shulman, MD - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC