What tests are done to diagnose Kawasaki disease?

What tests should be done to confirm Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki disease, like other diseases, requires certain tests to be confirmed. In fact, Kawasaki disease is a common disease in life. Many children have become a high-risk group for Kawasaki disease. The symptoms after the onset of the disease will affect the health of the children and bring them extremely serious harm. We need to understand the examination methods of Kawasaki disease. Next, let us learn about the relevant examination methods together.

Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymphadenopathy syndrome, is an acute febrile rash disease in children with systemic vasculitis as the main pathological feature. It was first reported by Japanese doctor Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967. As the disease can cause serious cardiovascular lesions, it has attracted people's attention. With the increase in the incidence, in 1990, among the inpatients with rheumatic diseases in Beijing Children's Hospital, there were 67 cases of Kawasaki disease and 27 cases of rheumatic fever; in the same data from 11 hospitals in other provinces and cities, the number of Kawasaki disease cases was twice that of rheumatism. Obviously, Kawasaki disease has replaced rheumatic fever as one of the main causes of acquired heart disease in children in my country. It is generally believed that Kawasaki disease is an immune-mediated vasculitis and is temporarily included in the chapter on connective tissue diseases.

In the acute phase, the total white blood cell count and percentage of granulocytes increase, and the nuclei shift to the left. Mild anemia can be seen in more than half of the patients. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases significantly, reaching more than 100 mm in the first hour. Serum protein electrophoresis shows an increase in globulin, especially a significant increase in α2 globulin. Albumin decreases. IgG, IgA, and IgA increase. Platelets begin to increase in the second week. The blood is in a hypercoagulable state. The antistreptococcal hemolysin O titer is normal. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear bodies are both negative. C-reactive protein increases. Serum complement is normal or slightly high. Urine sediment shows leukocytosis and/or proteinuria. Electrocardiograms can show a variety of changes, with abnormal ST segments and T waves being the most common, and can also show prolonged PR and QR intervals, abnormal Q waves, and arrhythmias.

Two-dimensional echocardiography is suitable for cardiac examination and long-term follow-up. Various cardiovascular lesions such as pericardial effusion, left ventricular enlargement, mitral regurgitation, and coronary artery dilatation or aneurysm formation can be found in half of the patients. It is best to check once a week during the acute and subacute stages of the disease. It is the most reliable non-invasive examination method for monitoring coronary artery aneurysms. In cases of aseptic meningitis, the number of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid can be as high as 50-70/mm3. In some cases, slightly higher serum bilirubin or alanine transaminase can be seen. Bacterial culture and virus isolation are both negative results.

This is our introduction to the relevant examination methods for Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is common and the impact is very serious. We must take Kawasaki disease seriously. After understanding the examination methods for the disease, it can help us a lot in dealing with Kawasaki disease. We must pay attention to the prevention of Kawasaki disease in our lives.