Is Kawasaki Disease a Worse Condition in Black Children?

Black children had higher measures of inflammation at admission, longer hospital stay, and somewhat poorer treatment response compared with white children.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is known to have varied incidence among children of different races and ethnicities. To determine whether KD outcomes might be worse in Black children than in white children, investigators conducted a retrospective review comparing clinical features of KD and responses to intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) between 177 Black children (mean age, 40 months) and 192 white children (mean age, 45 months) admitted to one children's hospital. Results were as follows:

Clinical symptom rates were similar, except that conjunctivitis and rash were more common in white children.
Measures of inflammation (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) on admission were significantly higher in Black children.
Time from onset of f…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Is Kawasaki Disease a Worse Condition in Black Children?

Topics

Reviewing Author