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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.
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