In Kawasaki disease, what laboratory finding is commonly observed?

In Kawasaki disease, the commonly observed laboratory finding is thrombocytosis, which is an increase in platelet count. This condition is characterized by an inflammatory response affecting the blood vessels, particularly those supplying the heart, and it usually occurs in children. Thrombocytosis in Kawasaki disease generally develops as part of the acute phase and is thought to be a response to the underlying inflammation.

In the setting of Kawasaki disease, patients often present with symptoms such as fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and lymphadenopathy. As the disease progresses, the inflammatory process can lead to an increase in various blood components, including platelets. This is particularly notable as the inflammation tends to stimulate the bone marrow and increase platelet production in response to the inflammatory cytokines released during the disease course.

Other laboratory findings in Kawasaki disease may include elevated white blood cell counts, but they are more variable and not as definitive as thrombocytosis in this context. While leukopenia and decreased hemoglobin levels can occur in various conditions or stages of illness, they are not characteristic or commonly associated with Kawasaki disease. Thus, among the options given, thrombocytosis is the hallmark blood finding that aligns with the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of Kawasaki disease.