Kawasaki Disease Clinical Criteria

To diagnose Kawasaki disease, a complete physical exam and history are crucial. Kawasaki disease clinical criteria have been established by the American Heart Association, and they can help in making a diagnosis after excluding other diseases. But a thorough examination is the best way to be sure. If you have any of the symptoms, you should schedule a consultation with a physician.

Symptoms

Although Kawasaki disease is not contagious, it can be life-threatening for children. The fevers associated with the disease tend to last for five days or more. Children who show any of the four symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if some of the symptoms do not occur at the same time, parents should still contact their doctor and ask about treatment options. Early treatment is vital for reducing the risk of lasting damage to the heart and coronary arteries.

The mainstay of treatment for Kawasaki disease is immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusion. This medicine reduces the risk of coronary artery aneurysms by more than 25%. It is usually given as a single IV infusion over 10-12 hours. It helps to reduce inflammation, which is a major cause of the disease’s symptoms.

After a diagnosis is made, more tests are necessary to determine if the disease is causing more serious problems. A heart catheterization and echocardiogram may be needed. A child with a coronary artery aneurysm may also need further treatment. He or she may also need a blood thinner.

Another common symptom of Kawasaki disease is swelling of the blood vessels in the eye. In addition to the eyes, the swollen blood vessels can also affect the mouth and other parts of the body. A computerized tomography test can help doctors assess these areas. An electrolyte blood test may also be necessary to determine the presence of dehydration. Additionally, an examination of the tongue can reveal if the patient has any abnormalities.

Most of the symptoms associated with Kawasaki disease will go away after a few weeks. Patients with this disease may experience some fatigue for up to eight weeks after being diagnosed. However, this will go away if there are no other complications. This condition can also result in swelling of lymph nodes in one side of the neck.

A child with symptoms of Kawasaki disease should see their doctor as soon as possible. A physician can also order a heart ultrasound or an electrocardiogram. These tests will help the doctors determine if the disease is the cause of the symptoms.

Diagnosis

For a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, you must have a 5-day or longer febrile illness, with a fever that is unresponsive to antipyretics and antibiotics. The fever should be predominantly unilateral and polymorphous. There should be no bullous lesions on the chest. If any of these criteria are present, an echocardiogram should be done.

Other symptoms of Kawasaki disease may include ringing in the ears, nausea or vomiting, and increased bruising. If your child has any of these symptoms, it is important to have a check-up by a doctor as early diagnosis is crucial to the long-term course of treatment. In some cases, your child may require hospitalization to receive proper treatment.

In addition to a thorough history and physical exam, your healthcare provider may order supplemental lab tests to rule out other medical conditions. For instance, you can test for C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and platelet count. If these tests are normal, your child may have Kawasaki disease. If you suspect that your child has Kawasaki disease, you should monitor him closely and conduct serial laboratory tests.

Depending on the severity of your child’s symptoms, Kawasaki disease can be treated with treatment aimed at reducing the chances of long-term cardiac damage. The early diagnosis and therapy will reduce the chances of further cardiovascular complications by as much as 20%. If you suspect your child has Kawasaki disease, contact your doctor or health care provider immediately.

There is a low incidence of in-hospital mortality associated with Kawasaki disease, and mortality is almost entirely due to cardiac sequelae. Mortality peaks between 15-45 days after the onset of fever, and usually occurs when coronary artery vasculitis and a hypercoagulable state are present. If you suspect Kawasaki disease, an ECHO may be recommended.

Acute Kawasaki disease can be treated with a high-dose IVIG. A pediatric cardiologist should use a pediatric echocardiography center that has experience in imaging the coronary arteries of children. Treatment should not be delayed until an echocardiogram is completed. During the treatment period, an echocardiograms should be repeated every two to four weeks or every six to eight weeks. In some cases, a follow-up study at six to 12 months may also be obtained.

Treatment

There are certain criteria for treating Kawasaki disease. It is best if the infusion is given within the first 10 days of the illness. In addition, the child should receive low-dose aspirin every day for six to eight weeks. The child should be closely monitored by a cardiologist throughout treatment.

Patients with Kawasaki disease may need a yearly cardiovascular examination. The frequency of these evaluations will depend on the severity of the coronary changes. However, patients with previous episodes may need periodic evaluations. Generally, patients with Kawasaki disease have a good prognosis, as long as they maintain good heart habits.

Diagnostic tests: The first step in diagnosing Kawasaki disease is to perform an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram can reveal whether the heart is functioning normally or if there is a problem. If the result is inconclusive, the patient should receive further testing. An echocardiogram will also help confirm the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease.

Treatment: The most important step in treating Kawasaki disease is early detection. The most serious complication of this multisystem illness is the delayed development of coronary artery aneurysms. Twenty percent of Kawasaki disease patients will experience coronary artery aneurysms if they are untreated.

Diagnostic tests: A series of blood tests can rule out other diseases. A high number of white blood cells in the blood can indicate Kawasaki disease. Blood tests can also reveal irregular heart rhythm. A cardiac echocardiogram, an ultrasound examination that reveals the heart’s health, is also performed to detect coronary artery problems.

Acute KD diagnosis: Acute KD can affect medium-small arteries. Patients with the disease may experience chest pain, pericarditis, myocarditis, or endocarditis. They may also develop peripheral gangrene, Raynaud’s phenomenon, or aseptic meningitis.

Common pitfalls

Early diagnosis is the best defense against the common pitfalls of Kawasaki disease. Early symptoms of the illness include fever, polymorphous exanthem, and perineal inflammation. Although these symptoms may be transient, they are significant enough to lead to a diagnosis. The diagnosis can also be made early if other clinical features are present, such as the presence of heart failure or inflammation.

Once treatment has started, doctors will often do an echocardiogram to evaluate the child’s heart. They will give aspirin as this medication prevents blood clots from forming in small inflamed arteries. Patients will also be given a proton pump inhibitor to protect the stomach. Aspirin can cause gastritis, so only use it in limited doses.

Children with Kawasaki disease will need specialized follow-up. While there are no long-term risks associated with the condition, it is important to see your child’s doctor regularly to monitor the disease. Follow-up appointments with cardiologists are also essential for assessing the condition of your child. The doctor may recommend testing such as echocardiograms and other types of imaging. While the majority of children with Kawasaki disease will recover without any complications, those with severe abnormalities will need additional surgery or medicine.

Although Kawasaki disease is not contagious, it is often associated with clusters of cases within communities. It is usually found in infants under five years of age and affects boys 1.5 times more than girls. Symptoms include high fever, redness all over, and heart problems. Once the fever subsides, the illness tends to go away slowly and may last up to eight weeks.

Another concern is coronary artery complications. Kawasaki disease is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. The condition can damage the heart, causing it to enlarge. It can also cause aneurysms, which are balloon-like structures formed within the damaged wall of the artery. If the aneurysm ruptures, severe internal bleeding can occur.