[Kawasaki disease in Mexican children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Infectious Diseases

Context:

• Kawasaki disease (KD) is a critical pediatric illness primarily affecting coronary arteries.
• Understanding KD epidemiology and clinical manifestations in diverse geographic regions is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
• This study reviews KD cases from Mexico Children's Hospital, contributing to the understanding of the disease in this population.

Purpose:

• To review and analyze the clinical characteristics, coronary artery involvement, and outcomes of Kawasaki disease patients at a single institution in Mexico.
• To evaluate the utility of a coronary risk scoring system in predicting severe coronary anomalies and clinical outcomes in KD patients.
• To establish the prevalence and significance of KD in Mexico based on the largest reported single-institution series.

Summary:

• Sixteen pediatric KD cases were analyzed, with a mean age of three years, male predominance (4.3:1), and two sibling cases.
• Myocarditis was observed in six patients, and 12 had coronary anomalies, including five with aneurysms. Two infants with severe coronary disease died.
• A coronary risk score of 6 or more points strongly correlated with coronary anomalies, giant aneurysms, and mortality, while fewer points indicated better outcomes.

Impact:

• This study confirms the presence and significant impact of Kawasaki disease in Mexico.
• The findings highlight the importance of early identification and risk stratification using a scoring system to predict severe coronary sequelae.
• Results underscore the need for heightened awareness and specialized care for KD patients to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.