Clinical characteristics of adverse reaction to radiocontrast media in children - A single center experience

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Radiocontrast media are widely used in medical imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy. However, studies on the adverse reactions of radiocontrast media in children are limited. We aimed to describe the characteristics of adverse reactions to radiocontrast media among children who had a computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging in a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on adverse reactions to radiocontrast media by the reporting system of a tertiary university hospital. We selected data from children under the age of 19 from July 2011 to December 2017 and analyzed their characteristics. We focused mainly on the characteristics of the index case which is defined by the first adverse event of each subject. RESULTS: During the period, a total of 88,050 radiocontrast media-enhanced imaging studies were performed and 184 cases of adverse reactions were reported. A total of 71 were identified as index cases. Forty-nine (69.0%) were male and the mean age was 12.7±3.2 years. The incidence of radiocontrast media-related adverse reactions was 0.09% and severe reactions were 0.002%. The most common clinical feature was skin manifestations (54.9%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (40.8%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (7.4%). CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to radiocontrast media rarely occur in children and the incidence of severe reactions is low. Most reactions are mild and are related to the skin and gastrointestinal system. This report would provide good evidence for establishing a management strategy in children scheduled for imaging studies using radiocontrast media.