Worldwide Review of Genetic Studies in Kawasaki Disease

Hong, Young Mi

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute multisystem vasculitic syndrome of unknown etiology occurring mostly in infants and children younger than 5 years of age. In developed countries, KD is currently the leading cause of acquired heart diseases in children. The incidence of KD is increasing globally. The first generation of patients with KD has now reached reproductive age, and the incidence of 2-generation cases may thus increase in number. Many gene polymorphisms are associated with KD in different populations. There are many individual and racial gene variation. Susceptible gene should be identified in the KD. Individuals with certain genes predisposing to occurrence and severity of KD could be detected in different ethnic populations. This might allow special treatment or other measures to prevent the disease and possibly limit the severity and complications of KD. I reviewed and summarized Korean and international articles about gene studies. Multicenter gene studies are needed to investigate the association between specific genes and coronary artery lesions in KD.