BMC Pediatrics (Oct 2009)

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

  • Parashar Umesh D,
  • Steiner Claudia A,
  • Yorita Krista L,
  • Holman Robert C,
  • MacNeil Adam,
  • Belay Ermias D

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-9-65
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
p. 65

Abstract

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Abstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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.