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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no specific test available to diagnose Kawasaki disease. Diagnosis largely is a process of ruling out diseases that cause similar signs and symptoms, including:
- Scarlet fever, which is caused by streptococcal bacteria and results in fever, rash, chills and sore throat
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a disorder of the mucous membranes
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Measles
- Cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infection, the cause of mononucleosis
- Certain tick-borne illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever
The doctor may conduct a physical examination and have your child undergo other tests to aid in the diagnosis. These tests may include:
- Urine tests. These tests help rule out other diseases.
- Blood tests. Besides helping to rule out other diseases, blood tests look at white blood cell count, which is likely to be elevated, and the presence of anemia and inflammation, indications of Kawasaki disease.
- Electrocardiogram. This test uses electrodes attached to the skin to measure the electrical impulses of your child's heartbeat. Kawasaki disease can cause serious complications of the heart.
- Echocardiogram. This test uses ultrasound images to show how well the heart is functioning and provides indirect evidence on how the coronary arteries are functioning.
- Kawasaki disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4634. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- What is Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki Disease Foundation. http://www.kdfoundation.org/dl/kdfbrochure.pdf. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Epidemiology and etiology of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Takahashi M. Cardiovascular sequelae of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Sundel R. Initial treatment and prognosis of Kawasaki disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- KDF bridges. Kawasaki Disease Foundation. http://www.kdfoundation.org/bridges.aspx. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 24, 2008.
