Kawasaki Disease Diagnostic Criteria
American Heart Association (AHA) diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki Disease (KD). Fever ≥5 days PLUS ≥4 principal features required for classic KD. Guides IVIG and aspirin therapy.
Score interpretation
→ Classic Kawasaki Disease: Fever ≥5 days + ≥4 criteria met. Treat promptly with IVIG and aspirin per the AHA 2017 statement — take doses from a children's formulary. Echocardiogram at diagnosis; repeat at 2 and 6 weeks. Paediatric cardiology urgent review.
→ Incomplete (atypical) KD possible: Fever ≥5 days with 2–3 criteria. Measure CRP, ESR, albumin, ALT, WBC, haemoglobin, platelets, urinalysis. If CRP ≥3 mg/dL or ESR ≥40 mm/hr with supplemental lab criteria — treat as KD. Echocardiogram. Paediatric cardiology/immunology review.
→ No fever ≥ 5 days, or fewer than 2 principal features. Fever ≥ 5 days is required; experienced clinicians may diagnose KD after 4 days of fever when ≥ 4 principal features are present, and infants with ≥ 7 days of unexplained fever need evaluation for incomplete KD even with 0–1 features. Consider alternative diagnoses: viral exanthem, scarlet fever, adenovirus, SJS, systemic JIA. If high clinical suspicion, consult paediatric infectious disease.
Interpretation bands for the Kawasaki Criteria. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Colchicine · Anti-inflammatory — Neutrophilic Dermatoses / Vasculitis
- Colchicine (Pericarditis / Post-MI Inflammation) · Pericarditis / Coronary Inflammation
- Dapsone · Anti-inflammatory / Antimicrobial
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Acetazolamide (Ménière's Disease) · Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Diuretic)
- Diclofenac · Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.