A 2-YEAR SURVEY OF MUCOCUTANEOUS LYMPH-NODE SYNDROME IN NORTHEASTERN ITALY - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL FINDINGS

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (4) , 319-329
Abstract
A 2-yr retrospective survey of cases of mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS, Kawasaki disease) was conducted by a collaborative research group in northeastern Italy (Friuli Venezia-Giulia) by reviewing the records of all patients admitted in the pediatric wards of this area from Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1982. Nineteen cases of MLNS were identified representing an overall incidence in the 2-yr period of 14.7 cases per 100,000 children younger than 5 yr of age. Seasonal clustering of cases was observed. Of 19 cases, 17 occurred either in spring or autumn (P = 0.0004, binomial distribution) and 11 of 19 cases occurred in spring alone (P = 0.0023). No evidence for direct contact between cases or common source exposure emerged and no risk factors were identified. The clinical spectrum of the disease was similar to that described elsewhere, carditis, uveitis, arthritis and urethritis being the most frequent complications. One infant died and in this case coronary artery aneurysms were demonstrated by 2-dimensional echocardiography. In the remaining cases recovery was complete without sequelae. MLNS is more frequent than expected and the real incidence of the disease is probably underestimated. The evidence of seasonal clustering of cases strongly suggests the presence of a yet unidentified exogenous factor playing a role in the etiology of the disease.

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