KAWASAKI-DISEASE IN THE BRITISH-ISLES

A group of pediatricians in England commissioned the British Paediatri c Association Surveillance Unit (BPASU) to include Kawasaki disease in their reporting scheme. Every practicing pediatrician is circulated a survey form monthly by the BPASU and is asked to indicate whether the y have treated a child with a number of uncommon conditions. Kawasaki disease was included during 1990, and the results will be presented. 1 63 patients were identified, of whom 6 (3.7%) died. 45 children 28% de veloped cardiac complications of which 39 (24%) were abnormalities of the coronary arteries. In 5 children the diagnosis was not made until post mortem. Coronary artery abnormalities were associated with a high platelet count, high white count, long period of fever, and younger a ge 139 children (87%) received aspirin and only 93 (61%) where given i ntravenous gammaglobulin. The incidence of coronary abnormalities was similar in those heated with IVGG (29%) and those untreated (20%) incl uding those treated within 10 days of onset. We were surprised by thes e results but they may be because (1) children who received IVGG had m ore serious disease (2) Kawasaki disease in the UK is different from t hat seen elsewhere, and the IVGG preparation is less effective.