Epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease in South Korea: data from nationwide survey, 2009-2011.
BACKGROUND
To assess the recent epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in South Korea from the nationwide survey conducted between 2009 and 2011.


METHODS
We collected data regarding the incidence, symptoms, treatment and coronary complications associated with acute KD by sending questionnaires to the 100 hospitals that have pediatric residency programs from 2009 to 2011.


RESULTS
We received complete responses from 73 hospitals and partial responses from 14 hospitals. A total of 13,031 patients of KD were reported from the 87 hospitals (3941 in 2009, 4635 in 2010 and 4455 in 2011). The male to female ratio was 1.44:1, and the median age at diagnosis was 28 months. From the questionnaires with complete responses, we noted that the incidence of KD per 100,000 children <5 years of age was 115.4 in 2009, 132.9 in 2010 and 134.4 in 2011 (average rate, 127.7). KD occurred more frequently during summer (June, July and August) and during winter (December and January). The recurrence rate was 3.83%. The standard dose of intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to 93.6% of the patients, and nonresponder rate was 11.6%. Coronary aneurysm occurred in 1.9% of the patients and giant aneurysm developed in 26 patients (0.26%) over 3 years, and 2 patients had myocardial infarction. No mortality was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The average annual incidence of KD in South Korea has continuously increased to 134.4 per 100,000 children <5 years of age in 2011, which is the second highest incidence of KD worldwide, following its incidence in Japan.
From the *Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul; †Department of Pediatrics, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Gyeonggi-do; ‡Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul; §Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan; ¶Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University Hospital; ‖Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee University Hospital; **Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital; and ††Department of Biostatistics, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Gi Beom
GB
Kim
Ji Whan
JW
Han
Yong Won
YW
Park
Min Seob
MS
Song
Young Mi
YM
Hong
Sung Ho
SH
Cha
Dong Soo
DS
Kim
Sohee
S
Park
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous