Evaluation of seasonal patterns of Kawasaki Syndrome- and rotavirus-associated hospitalizations in California and New York, 2000-2005

• Main Authors: Parashar Umesh D, Steiner Claudia A, Yorita Krista L, Holman Robert C, MacNeil Adam, Belay Ermias D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-10-01
• Series: BMC Pediatrics
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/9/65

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) is an uncommon childhood disease with unknown etiology. It has been suggested that rotavirus infection may play a causative role in the development of KS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To examine potential temporal associations between KS and rotavirus infection, seasonal patterns of KS- and rotavirus-associated hospitalizations among children in California and New York during 2000-2005 were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rotavirus hospital admissions were markedly winter seasonal, with very few summer hospitalizations. KS hospitalizations occurred year-round but also peaked slightly during winter and spring.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The strong winter seasonal pattern of rotavirus clearly differed from the year-round pattern of KS hospitalizations. While the present study cannot completely rule out rotavirus as having a role in the development of KS, other agents must be involved in the etiology of KS.</p>