Kawasaki disease: epidemiology and the lessons from it

Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan;21(1):16-19. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13211. Epub 2017 Nov 8.

Abstract

A half of century has passed since Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki reported his 50 cases with Kawasaki disease (KD) in 1967. Since then, more than 300 000 cases have been reported to the nationwide epidemiologic surveys in Japan. However, the etiology and risk factors of the disease are still unknown. In this paper, the author emphasizes that the epidemiology of KD may indicate an infectious agent to be a potential trigger of disease in susceptible children.

Keywords: epidemics; epidemiology; etiology; mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome; risk factors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis
  • Communicable Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Time Factors