Kawasaki Disease Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnoses Kawasaki disease (KD) using clinical criteria. Classic KD requires fever ≥5 days PLUS ≥4 of 5 principal features. Incomplete KD: fever ≥5 days with <4 features but echocardiographic or laboratory evidence.
Score interpretation
Fever ≥ 5 days with ≥ 4 principal features (AHA 2017).
→ Treat as Kawasaki disease: urgent paediatric review; IVIG and aspirin per the local paediatric protocol and a children's formulary; echocardiogram at diagnosis.
Fever ≥ 5 days with 2–3 principal features.
→ Measure CRP and ESR; if CRP ≥ 30 mg/L or ESR ≥ 40 mm/h apply the AHA 2017 supplementary laboratory criteria and echocardiography; paediatric cardiology / infectious disease 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. Consider alternative diagnoses (viral exanthem, scarlet fever, adenovirus, drug reaction, systemic JIA).
Interpretation bands for the Kawasaki Criteria. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- McCrindle BW et al. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(17):e927–e999.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Paracetamol (Paediatric) · Analgesic / Antipyretic — First-Line Pain and Fever in Children
- Colchicine (Pericarditis / Post-MI Inflammation) · Pericarditis / Coronary Inflammation
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Colchicine · Anti-inflammatory — Neutrophilic Dermatoses / Vasculitis
- Acetazolamide (Ménière's Disease) · Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Diuretic)
- Melatonin · Melatonin Receptor Agonist
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.