Top Things to Know: International Collaborations in Kawasaki Disease
Updated: May 18, 2026
Prepared by Ashraf S. Harahsheh, MD, FAHA, FAAP
- Untreated Kawasaki disease (KD) patients can develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) with a prevalence of ~25%, whereas prompt treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (2g/kg/dose) can reduce the risk to <5%.
- KD management has succeeded in large experienced and economically advanced countries where research collaboration has been impactful.
- Other collaborative efforts have emerged over recent years on the regional, national, and international levels, including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- The establishment of KD diagnosis remains problematic in less-resourced regions. This is currently benefiting from international correspondence and inter-institutional collaboration, yet a structured vision for advanced KD collaboration needs focused planning.
- Most current KD collaboratives operate in the absence of formal funding, highlighting the high degree of motivation on the part of participating centers and individuals.
- The heterogeneity of attributes and productivity of the current identified collaborations reflects the differing aims and logistical aspects by which they operate.
- Research collaboration typically begins with clearly defined aims or a mission statement defining the scope of activities to be pursued, nevertheless, these aspects are rarely published in KD collaborations.
- The collaboration is expected to benefit all consortia members proportionate to their contribution, especially for members from LMICs. The ultimate goal, however, remains patients’ outcomes under a globally harmonized approach for optimal care.
- The international aspect of KD collaboration needs to be sensitive and adaptive to differing languages, time zones and resource availability across sites, particularly LMICs, and include patients and advocacy groups as active stakeholders.
- Institutions participating in a multi-collaborative effort, tracking of performance and quality metrics across sites may uncover local or regional barriers or resource requirements worth addressing and promote practice change and quality improvement (QIs). Optimal future directions in KD international collaborations must prioritize QI collaboration, capacity building, KD champion mentoring, and development in LMICs where the disparities in access to care are the greatest.
Citation
Harahsheh AS, Mohsin S, Tremoulet A, McCrindle BW; Singh S, MD; Webb K, Kobayashi S, Zheleva B, Ulloa-Gutierrez R, Takahashi K, Dahdah N; on behalf of the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young; Council on Clinical Cardiology; and the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. The importance of fostering international collaboration for optimal outcomes of Kawasaki disease worldwide: a science advisory from the American Heart Association. J Am Heart Assoc. 2026;15:e050184. doi:10.1161/JAHA.126.050184.