Kawasaki disease: an epidemiological study in central Italy

Abstract

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis with an acute and self-limited course. The incidence of KD differs widely among ethnic groups and is higher in the Asian population. In Italy, no recent data are available. Our purpose is to define the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in the years 2008–2013 in children aged < 14 years in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna through administrative data.MethodsWe studied the epidemiology of KD in the years 2008–2013 in children 0–14 years old resident in Tuscany and in Emilia Romagna regions using hospital ICD-9 discharge codes with a thorough data cleaning for duplicates.ResultsThe distribution of the KD patients across ages was similar for the two regions with a peak in the second year of life. When considering data of the two regions together, the rate of incidence was 17.6 for 100,000 children under 5 years. For both Regions the incidence rose slightly during the study period and had a seasonal distribution, with higher incidence in spring and winter.ConclusionThis is the first Italian study performed through the use of administrative data. Figures are in line but slightly higher than those published in other European countries.

Kawasaki disease in Sicily: clinical description and markers of disease severity

“…The icidence was 17.6:100.000 children under five years. 5.2 % had one or more cardiac complications, 2.6 % had CAL [27]. …”

Correspondence on ‘Paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 mimicking Kawasaki disease (Kawa-COVID-19): a multicentre cohort’

“…In conclusion, the epidemiology COVASAKI survey showed a KD incidence rate during COVID-19 pandemic identical to what previously reported in Tuscany along with clinical characteristics of typical KD picture. 7 The well-structured collaboration of our PTN has ensured a prompt recognition of children with suspected KD, thus avoiding diagnostic and treatment delay. Keeping updated our register, a comparison between the COVASAKI survey and the worldwide results will better define the multifaceted nature of the paediatric COVID-19 disease and, if any, the potential relationship between PIMS-TS and KD.…”

Environmental Factors and Kawasaki Disease Onset in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

“…In Europe, the incidence of KD is variable from 5 to 16 cases per 100,000 children under 5 years of age. A recent Italian study [3] reports the incidence under 5 years of age in the Emilia-Romagna region as equal to 16.4 cases over the 2011 to 2013 period, with a peak in winter to early spring and a fall in the summer. The etiology of KD seems to be multifactorial, with some infectious trigger on genetically predisposed children playing an important role.…”