Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Abstract

The authors examined hospitalization rates of Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) among Texas children to isolate clusters, identify demographic disparities, and suggest possible causative factors. Using a retrospective cross-sectional study design, they studied 330 KS cases from 2,818,460 hospital discharges. The majority of the cases (61.5%) occurred within the 1-4-years-old category, representing the highest hospitalization rate (14.3 per 100,000 children). Almost 75% of the KS population was less than 5 years old, with hospitalization rates approximately 8 times higher than that of all other children (p < .05). KS diagnosis occurred for only 49.4% of all KS cases upon admission. Along with high-density clusters identified in major metropolitan areas, the authors found the highest rates of KS among Asian and Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic black children. Genetic predispositions and access to healthcare issues may explain the results. The authors recommend improving educational initiatives with healthcare providers and establishing KS as a reportable condition.

Comments

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Coustasse, A., Larry, J. J., Migala, W., Arvidson, C., & Singh, K. P. (2009). Kawasaki Syndrome in Texas. Hospital Topics, 87(3), 3-10., as published in HOSPITAL TOPICS, 2009, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: www.tandfonline.com/10.3200/HTPS.87.3.3-10

Download

Share

COinS