Anaphylaxis in Children: Clinical and Allergologic Features

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.101.4.e8
• Publication Date: 2004-08-13T23:44:32Z
• Authors: Elio Novembre; Antonella Cianferoni; Roberto Bernardini; Luca Mugnaini; Carlo Caffarelli; Giovanni Cavagni; Anna Giovane; Alberto Vierucci
• Keywords: Male; Adolescent; Urticaria; Age Factors; Eczema; Infant; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Humans; Female; Child; Anaphylaxis; Exercise; Arthropod Venoms; Food Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests

Despite the importance of anaphylaxis, little information is available on its clinical features.To evaluate and allergologic features anaphylaxis in children referred to allergology immunology unit A. Meyer Children's Hospital (Florence, Italy) from 1994 1996.Ninety-five episodes occurred 76 (50 boys 26 girls). Sixty-six (87%) had only one episode while 10 (13%) two or more episodes. Sixty-two (82%) patients a personal history atopic symptoms, although 14 (18%) did not. Sixty (79%) studied at least positive skin prick test common inhalant and/or food allergens. Children with venom-induced usually negative tests allergens tested. A younger age eczema were frequent among food-dependent whereas an older together urticaria-angioedema those exercise-induced anaphylaxis. The mean latent period (+/-SD) was 15.4 +/- 27.5 minutes. Skin respiratory manifestations earlier onset than gastrointestinal cardiovascular ones. most manifestation symptoms rare. probable causative agents 95 described foods (57%), drugs (11%), hymenoptera venom (12%), exercise (9%), additives (1%), specific immunotherapy latex vaccines (2%), but 6 cases (6%) agent never determined. Among foods, seafood milk frequently involved. As for location, 57% anaphylactic events home (54/95), 12% outdoors (11/95); 5% restaurants (5/95); 3% doctor's office (3/95); hospitals football fields 2% beach (2/95); 1% gym (1/95); school operating room (1/95). In remaining (11/95) site remained unknown. percent (59/95) treated emergency hospital, 32% (30/95) not (this lacking 6% [6/95]). Patients corticosteroids 72% (68/95), antihistamines 20% (19/95), epinephrine 18% (17/95), beta2-agonists (5/95), oxygen 4% (4/95).In our area, particularly milk, seem be important etiologic factors triggering Food-induced often occurs severe allergy, urticaria-angioedema. variant presents itself nonatopic subjects. Given fact that reaction, prevention almost impossible. Epinephrine, it first-choice treatment goes unused, even doctors' offices.