Global incidence of Kawasaki disease: a systematic review

• Published in: Cardiology in the young Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 1028 - 1039
• Main Authors: Kang, Cho Ryok, Lee, Jue Seong, Choe, Young June
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.05.2025
• Subjects: Child, Preschool; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome - epidemiology; Original Article; Other; global health; epidemiologic studies; Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease); incidence; review literature as topic
• ISSN: 1047-9511; 1467-1107
• DOI: 10.1017/S104795112500191X

Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis that primarily affects young children and represents a major cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. The incidence of Kawasaki disease exhibits significant global variation, and the worldwide burden remains limited. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the global incidence of Kawasaki disease in children under 5 years of age. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and KoreaMed up to July 15, 2024. Studies reporting population-level Kawasaki disease incidence were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. The search yielded 3,197 articles, of which 105 met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined Kawasaki disease incidence in children under 5 years of age across 34 countries, with the majority focusing on the Western Pacific Region and the Region of the Americas. The results demonstrated a wide range of Kawasaki disease incidence globally, with significant geographic variations. The highest incidence rates were observed in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, with a trend of gradual increase over time. This study represents the most comprehensive review of global Kawasaki disease incidence to date. The substantial variation in incidence underscores the need to understand the factors influencing regional differences.