Diagnostic Procedures for Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the small and medium sized arteries in a child's body, including the coronary arteries that feed the heart. According to the NIH Medical Encyclopedia, Kawasaki disease also affects the skin, lymph nodes and mucous membranes in the mouth, nose and throat. Although there is no specific test for Kawasaki disease, there are several diagnostic procedures that doctors can use to rule out illnesses such as scarlet fever, rheumatoid arthritis, toxic shock, measles or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Classic Symptoms

• The primary diagnostic method for doctors to suspect Kawasaki disease in a child is the presence of classic symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health. A fever that lasts longer than five days, a skin rash in the middle of the body, peeling skin on the hands and feet, swollen lymph nodes, very red mucous membranes in the mouth, a "strawberry" tongue and bloodshot eyes are all classic indicators of Kawasaki disease.

Urine Tests

• Doctors may test a child's urine to determine if he has Kawasaki disease. According to the NIH, urine tests can tell, among other things, if there is an abnormal amount of protein in the urine. Abnormal tests results could indicate kidney disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or congestive heart failure, and therefore rule out a possible diagnosis of Kawasaki disease.

Blood Tests

• According to the NIH Medical Encyclopedia, a complete blood count helps doctors measure the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, amount of hemoglobin and size of red blood cells in the blood. Mayo Clinic experts suggest that abnormal counts could indicate inflammation or anemia, leading to a possible diagnosis of Kawasaki disease.

Echocardiogram

• According to the Mayo Clinic, an echocardiogram is a procedure that takes detailed pictures of the heart using sound waves. A medical sonographer waves a piece of equipment called a transducer across the upper chest to produce pictures of the heart. Because Kawasaki disease affects the arteries feeding the heart, and can potentially damage the heart muscle itself, an echocardiogram will allow doctors to review pictures of the heart and determine the level of inflammation and potential damage.

Electrocardiogram

• An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the heart's electrical activity, according to the Mayo Clinic. A doctor will attach electrodes to the child's body using several patches. The test is painless. An abnormal electrocardiogram could indicate inflammation of the heart or damage to the coronary artery.