Abstract 28: African American Race is Not Protective Against Coronary Artery Involvement in Kawasaki Disease

It has been previously reported that African American race may be protective against coronary artery aneurysm development in Kawasaki Disease (KD). We aimed to test this with our own cohort of KD patients from a large pediatric cardiology practice. Data from 250 subjects diagnosed with KD and followed as outpatients with surveillance echocardiography over a two-year period were analyzed. Twelve patients were excluded due to incomplete records or an unconfirmed diagnosis. Race designated by parent was recorded. Charts were reviewed for any coronary involvement (ectasia or aneurysm) and coronary Z-score greater than 2.5 at the time of diagnosis and at subsequent follow-up visits. Odds rations were calculated comparing each racial group to others for any coronary involvement and for coronary Z-score > 2.5. Of 238 included patients, 44.5% were African American, 37.4% were non-Hispanic white, 10.5% were Hispanic, and 7.6% identified with other racial designations. Approximately 21.9% of African American patients had any coronary involvement and 9.5% had a coronary Z-score > 2.5. Approximately 21.4% of non-Hispanic whites had any coronary involvement and 13.5% of non-Hispanic whites had a coronary Z-score > 2.5. Twenty-eight percent of Hispanic patients had any coronary involvement and 12% had a coronary Z-score > 2.5%. Of patients that identified with other racial designations, 38.9% had coronary involvement and 22.2% had a coronary Z-score > 2.5. No statistically significant odds ratios were identified. Relative to reference group (non-Hispanic whites) African American patients had nearly identical rates of 1) any coronary involvement, or 2) coronary Z-score > 2.5. KD occurs commonly in African-American children. Given equal risk for late coronary sequelae vigilance and strict adherence to consensus guidelines is essential.