Value of serial echocardiography in diagnosing Kawasaki ’s disease

Conclusion:To confirm diagnosis of KD, it might not be necessary to detect dilation or aneurysms. Our observation suggests that patients suspected having KD should be monitored with serial echocardiography in order to detect a possible enlargement of the CA diameters, even if Z-scores are within the normal range.What is Known:•Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis predominantly affecting the small arteries of young children. Up to 25% of untreated patients suffer from coronary artery (CA) complications.• Due to less classic clinical criteria in patients with incomplete KD, the risk for CA pathology is even higher.What is New:• A significant progression of patients’ CA Z-scores in serial echocardiographic measurements may be helpful to ensure diagnosis of KD early even if Z-scores are within the normal range.• Twenty-seven patients (90%) with incomplete KD could be diagnosed within 10 days of fever, early enough to prevent significantly higher rates of CA aneurysm.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research