Epidemiologic facts of Kawasaki Disease
What epidemiologic facts are known about KD?
• KD affects predominantly, but not exclusively, young children. Majority (75%) of children are aged <5 years.
• Males > females 1.5:1.
• The highest relative risk (17×) is in Asian children, especially those with Japanese ancestry.
• The incidence is approximately 2% in siblings and 13% in identical twins.
• Recurrence rate is ∼3%.
• It is most common in winter and early spring in North America.
• Local outbreaks and epidemics of KD have been reported.
• Most common vasculitis of childhood (previously called infantile polyarteritis nodosa).
• Rarely occurs in adults (Fraison JB et al. Autoimmun Rev 15: 242, 2016) with or without coexistent human immunodeficiency virus.
