Comparative epidemiology of the rheumatic diseases in children.

Publications from different countries collectively confirm distinctions in the occurrence of pediatric rheumatic diseases among different populations. In part, this heterogeneity is due to differences in the distribution of human leukocyte antigen alleles. The epidemiology of the various forms of pediatric chronic arthritis has been studied most extensively. However, it is clear that these are complex conditions involving multiple genes as well as environmental and probably developmental factors. Other publications during the past year have updated the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease, Behcet disease, and acute rheumatic fever.