A 40-year-old member asked:
Could use expert help with why are asians most affected with kawasaki disease?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. George Arcosanswered
Pain Management 39 years experience
Combination: Like most autoimmune disease, cause is unknown. Experts agree there is an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Recent evidence points to tropospheric wind patterns blowing from central asia , and correlating with cases in japan, hawaii, and san diego. Indications are that a wind-borne pathogen is responsible. There is a genetic susceptibilty , an alteration in the itpkc gene.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. David Malpassanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 34 years experience
Unknown: Kawasaki disease affects children of all races and ages and both genders. It occurs most often in children of asian and pacific island descent. The disease is more likely to affect boys than girls. Most cases occur in children younger than 5 years old. The basis for these differences is poorly understood but is likely related to genetic factors.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 3, 2014
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