Kawasaki disease in Korea, 2003-2005.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and epidemiologic patterns of Kawasaki disease in Korea for the 3-year-period, 2003-2005.

METHODS: The questionnaire for an epidemiologic survey on Kawasaki disease was distributed to all 102 Korean hospitals that conduct pediatric residency programs, and obtained data were analyzed upon receipt.

RESULTS: The 9662 patients of Kawasaki disease from 85 hospitals that responded (response rate, 83.3%) consisted of 5877 males and 3785 females (male:female ratio, 1.55:1). The incidence rate per 100,000 children <5-year-old was 104.2 in 2003, 106.4 in 2004, and 104.6 in 2005 (average rate, 105.0). Their mean age of onset was 33.3 months, and the proportions of sibling cases and recurrent cases were 0.29% and 2.0%, respectively. Coronary arterial abnormalities were detected at follow-up by echocardiogram in 18.8% of all such cases including dilatations of 18.0% and aneurysms of 2.5%.

CONCLUSION: The average annual rate of incidence, 105.0/100,000 in children <5-year-old is the second highest reported rate in the world.