Anaphylaxis in children: a nine years retrospective study (2001-2009)
Allergol. immunopatol
; 40(1): 31-36, ene.-feb. 2012.
Article
in English
| IBECS
| ID: ibc-96256
Responsible library:
ES1.1
Localization: BNCS
ABSTRACT
Background Anaphylaxis is an acute multisystemic and potentially fatal reaction, resulting from the rapid release of inflammatory mediators. Its exact prevalence is unknown. In children, foods are the most significant triggers for IgE-mediated anaphylaxis.ObjectivesTo characterise the cases of anaphylaxis evaluated in an Allergy Division of a Central Paediatric Hospital. Material and methods A review of all cases of anaphylaxis evaluated from 2001 to 2009. Anaphylaxis was defined according to Sampson's 2006 criteria. Results Seventy-three children had anaphylactic reactions (47 male), of which 64% had history of atopy. Age at time of reaction ranged between 17 days and 15 years old (median four years). Food was the most frequently identified cause (n=57), followed by drugs (n=8), hymenoptera venom (n=2), and cold (n=1). In five cases there was no identifiable cause. Among foods, cow's milk was the culprit agent in 27 children. The most severe reaction was a cardiorespiratory arrest. The most frequent symptoms were respiratory and cutaneous in 51 cases. Hypotension was present in nine cases. There were no fatalities. Most acute reactions were treated with corticosteroids and/or antihistamines. Adrenaline was used in only about one quarter of children. Conclusions The most important causes of anaphylaxis in our study were foods, and the most common symptoms were respiratory and cutaneous. The prevalence of anaphylaxis was higher in males and, in two thirds of patients there was a history of atopy. Despite being the primary and most important treatment for anaphylaxis, adrenaline is still used in only a minority of these cases(AU)
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Collection:
National databases
/
Spain
Database:
IBECS
Main subject:
Respiratory Hypersensitivity
/
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
/
Anaphylaxis
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
Language:
English
Journal:
Allergol. immunopatol
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Hospital Maria Pia/Portugal
/
Hospital S. João/Portugal