Do epinephrine auto-injectors have an unsuitable needle length for young children?

• DOI: 10.1186/1710-1492-10-s1-a19
• Publication Date: 2014-03-03T14:19:09Z
• Authors: Laura Kim; Immaculate FP Nevis; Gina Tsai; Arunmozhi Dominic; Ryan Potts; Jack Chiu; Harold Kim
• Keywords: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine; Meeting Abstract; Immunology and Allergy; 3. Good health

Background Epinephrine delivered by an auto-injector to the anterolateral aspect of thigh is standard care for emergency treatment anaphylaxis. For most pediatric patients in Canada, EpipenJr prescribed, which has a needle length 12.7mm. The route epinephrine administration affects its onset action, and intramuscular delivery recommended rapid absorption. If injected subcutaneously, absorption will be slower. Conversely, if it into bone, unpredictable. There are no published clinical studies assessing whether adequate deliver intramuscularly at risk