Incidence and outcome of Kawasaki disease in Malta

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of childhood of unknown origin which causes an arteritis of small and medium sized arteries. The arteritis may involve any organ, including the coronary arteries, causing diffuse dilatation, aneurysm formation, stenosis, infarction and death. This paper determines the incidence of KD in Malta and compares the incidence and morbidity of KD in Malta with that in other countries. The Maltese incidence is 3.2/100,000 population <5 years of age, similar to that reported in non-Asiatic communities, and significantly less than that reported in Asiatic communities. None of the Maltese patients had coronary arteritis or other complications. A significant decline in delay to diagnosis was found, which is attributed to increased awareness of the disease in the medical community.