Clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease according to age at diagnosis

Objective: We compared the clinical, laboratory and diagnostic features of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children ≤6 mo and ≥5 y of age to those in the more typical age range at diagnosis (6 mo-5 y of age). Study design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Severeance Children Hospital attached to a Medical School, Korea. Methods: All children with a discharge diagnosis of KD at Severance Children's Hospital (2006-2007) were retrospectively reviewed and grouped according to age at presentation in 3 groups: <6 mo, 6 mo-5 y and ≥5 years. Clinical, hematological, and biochemical features and involvement of coronary artery and proportion of Classic vs. Incomplete KD were compared between the 3 groups. Results: A total of 185 children were identified. Complete KD was found in 63 (34%) children and Incomplete KD in 122 (66%). There was 22(12%) children below 6 months of age, 131 (71%) between 6 months to 5 years) and 32 (17%) above 5 years of age. Clinical, hematological and biochemical features were comparable between the three age groups. Overall, coronary artery lesions occurred in 9% children without any preference for age. The proportion of Classical vs. Incomplete KD was also similar in the three age categories. Conclusion: The clinical and laboratory phenotype of KD does not vary significantly with age.