ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate recognition and treatment. Despite the serious nature of these reactions, there is no universal agreement on the definition and there have been few epidemiologic studies of anaphylaxis in children. The purpose of the study is to investigate the causative agents, presenting signs and symptoms and course of disease in children suitable for established diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis in the middle area of South Korea. METHODS: We identified potential episodes of anaphylaxis occuring between March 1994 and October 2007 from the university hospitals in the middle area of South Korea. We reviewed all patients' medical records diagnosed with anaphylaxis and other related diagnoses. From chart review, we retrospectively collected demographic and epidemiologic data. RESULTS: We identified 40 patients with anaphylaxis. Patients' ages ranged from 2 months to 17 years, with a mean age of 6.6 years. A causative agent was recognized in 84.5%. The inciting agent included foods in 26 cases (65%), medication in 7 cases (17.5%) and bee sting in 1 case (2.5%). Mucocutaneous manifestations were the most common, respiratory symptoms were in 35 patients, cardiovascular symptoms were in 8 patients, and gastrointestinal symptoms were in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: We found some cases of anaphylaxis which had misdiagnosed as urticaria or angioedema using the established diagnostic criteria. Therefore, clinicians must accurately know the criteria of anaphylaxis and make an effort to identify cases of anaphylaxis with a high suspicion. Also, we found the epidemiology, causative agents, and symptoms and treatments of anaphylaxis in the middle area of South Korea. Our data will be the basis for anaphylactic studies in South Korea.