Research article

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

Adam MacNeil¹ , Robert C Holman¹ , Krista L Yorita¹ , Claudia A Steiner² , Umesh D Parashar³ and Ermias D Belay¹

¹Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA

²Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Center for Delivery, Organization and Markets, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD, USA

³Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA

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BMC Pediatrics 2009, 9:65doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-65

Published:	16 October 2009

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.