Australian hospitalisations for Kawasaki disease, 1993–1994 to 2017–2018

Aim: To estimate and describe trends in hospitalisations for Kawasaki disease in Australia. Methods: Analysis of the National Hospital Morbidity Database for separations with a principal diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, 1993–1994 to 2017–2018. Limited to persons aged 0–19 years. Results: Over the period 1993–1994 to 2017–2018, there were 6368 hospitalisations for Kawasaki disease among people aged 0–19 years; 433 same-day (6.8%) and 5935 overnight (93.2%). Among overnight separations, 15.8% were for children under the age of 1 year and 58.7% for those aged 1–4 years; 60.3% were for males. The hospitalisations rate has increased from 5.2 per 100 000 population in 1993–1994 to 12.4 per 100 000 in 2017–2018. The ratio of male to female hospitalisations was 1.5:1. Conclusions: Kawasaki disease is uncommon among Australia children, but its incidence is increasing. As there are no known preventable risk factors for the disease, prompt identification and treatment remain crucial to minimising the risk of cardiovascular sequelae.