Racial Differences in Kawasaki Disease: Comparison of Clinical Findings, Laboratory Values, Treatment Efficacy

Objective: Kawasaki Disease (KD) is one of the most common vasculitides of childhood. Its precise pathophysiology, however, is not very well understood. KD occurs most frequently in southeastern Asian, particularly Japanese, populations and, thus, has been described extensively in this population. The American population is markedly different, having a significantly greater degree of racial hetero geneity. There is a paucity of data regarding differences in KD among different races in the American population. This study characterizes and compares clinical findings, laboratory values, echocardiogra phy findings, treatment efficacy, and long-term sequelae in a diverse population.