Tests and treatment

An echocardiogram (ECHO) is normally done to check the patient’s heart condition and for possible aneurysm. A baseline ECHO is necessary during the acute stage and must be repeated in the second and third week and after one month when all other laboratory results have returned to normal. A chest radiograph should also be made to check baseline findings and to determine suspicions of congestive heart failure. If liver or gallbladder dysfunctions are seen, an ultrasound will be prescribed. Other tests that may be done include electrocardiogram (ECG), spiral computed tomography (CT) and electron beam computed tomography (EBCT).

In treating Kawasaki disease, the doctor may prescribe aspirin for the child patient usually in higher doses for a high fever. A lower dose might be given for several more weeks to lessen the risk of heart problems. But apart from lowering fever, aspirin may also help lessen the rash and joint pain as well as in making blood clots. The American Heart Association recommends that aspirin therapy be discontinued only after six to eight weeks if echocardiograms show no evidence of heart problems. However, if the patient develops a flu or chicken pox during the illness, the aspirin should be stopped to reduce the chance of getting another disease like the Reye’s syndrome.

A very important medication given within the first ten days of the start of the illness is the immunoglobulin. Administered intravenously for several hours in the hospital, the immunoglobulin helps prevent heart abnormalities.