Distinguishing Kawasaki Disease from Other Febrile Illnesses in Infants

Aim: Kawasaki disease (KD) is difficult to diagnose in infants, since the disease course is subtle. We aimed to identify whether infants with KD demonstrate significant alterations in laboratory parameters that can be used to distinguish them from other febrile infants. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, infants diagnosed with KD between January 2010 and December 2019 were evaluated and compared to a cohort of febrile infants admitted with prolonged fever during the same period. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features were recorded and compared between these two groups. Results: A total of 42 infants (27 male) with KD (32 incomplete KD) and 84 age-matched febrile infants (57 male) were evaluated. Coronary artery involvement was identified in 20 (47.6%) infants of whom 5 (25%) had coronary aneurysms. All infants with KD were treated with IVIG and high dose acetylsalicylic acid, and 38 (90.5%) responded to treatment. The duration of fever and hospitalization were longer in infants with KD compared to the controls (p<0.001). White blood cell (WBC), eosinophil, platelet counts, platelet distribution width, acute phase reactants, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase were significantly higher; whereas, mean platelet volume (MPV), hemoglobin, and albumin levels were lower in the KD group compared to the controls. Lower MPV and albumin values were found to be independently associated with a higher likelihood of having a KD diagnosis. Conclusion: It may be difficult to diagnose KD in infants. Our data shows that MPV and albumin may be used as supportive parameters to differentiate KD from other febrile conditions in infants.

Automated summary

Diagnosing Kawasaki disease in infants is challenging, but lower MPV and albumin levels may serve as supportive parameters to differentiate it from other febrile conditions.