Objective: The objective of the study is to describe recent epidemiologic patterns of Kawasaki disease based on information included in patient records that had been obtained through a nationwide hospital survey in Japan.
Methods: A questionnaire and diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease that had been approved by the Kawasaki Disease Research Committee were sent to all pediatric departments of hospitals (2638 hospitals) with a bed capacity of at least 100. The subjects all were new patients who were treated during a 2-year period from 1995 to 1996.
Results: A total of 12 531 children contracted the disease during the observation period. The incidence was 102.6 for 1995 and 108.0 for 1996 per 100 000 children younger than age 5 years. The male:female ratio was 1.37. The age distribution pattern showed a peak near 6 months of age. Geographic variations in the incidence suggested the existence of local outbreaks. Cardiac sequelae were seen in 12% of the patients.
Conclusion: More than 6000 patients suffered from Kawasaki disease each year, and its annual incidence is increasing steadily. The probable existence of local outbreaks is worthy of note. Other epidemiologic patterns were unchanged from previous years.