Kawasaki Disease in Hong Kong, 1994-2000 Surveillance

Objective: The Hong Kong Kawasaki disease Study Group (HKKDSG) has started surveillance on patients diagnosed to have Kawasaki Disease (KD) in Hong Kong since 1993 with the purpose of collecting incidence data, reviewing the characteristics of KD and analyzing the epidemiological pictures of KD in Hong Kong. Methods: A retrospective survey on incidence, epidemiological data and characteristics of KD was performed. This is accomplished by asking cardiologists and paediatricians in-charge of the cases in all leading hospitals to send in the surveillance forms designed by the HKKDSG with cases diagnosed from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 2000. Results: Overall 696 cases of KD were reported with onset between 1 July 1994 and 30 June 2000. 686 (98.6 %) were Chinese. Their age ranged from 1 month (0.1 year) to 15 years (15.4 years) with median of 1.7 years. There were 435 boys (62.5 %) and 261 girls (37.5 %) and 620 (89 %) were 8) was present in 3 (0.4 %) cases. There was no death reported. The average yearly incidence was 32 per 100,000 children below five. Conclusion: Kawasaki disease is common in Chinese in Hong Kong with an incidence of 32 per 100,000 children below five.