Kawasaki disease--the Northern Ireland experience

In the period 1985-1991 inclusive, forty five cases of Kawasaki Disease were identified in Northern Ireland. The number of cases increased each year until 1988 when the incidence was 19 per million population under 16 years, the highest reported for any region in the United Kingdom (data from British Paediatric Surveillance Unit). A high incidence of cardiac involvement was found, with 18(40%) having proximal coronary artery dilatation or aneurysm. and 8(17.7%) with pericardial effusion detected by 2D Echocardiography during or shortly after the acute illness. One year after disease onset, persistent coronary artery changes were detectable by 2D Echocardiography in 53% of those initially affected. There have been no deaths and no patient has so far developed myocardial infarction. One patient has required coronary artery bypass grafting. A protocol for the acute management and long term follow-up of Kawasaki Disease is suggested.