Abstract

GASPAR, Ângela et al. One-year survey of anaphylaxis at pediatric age in an Immunoallergy department. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.1, pp.43-54. ISSN 0871-9721.

Background: Anaphylaxis incidence is increasing, especially in the pediatric age group, being the characterization of this entity hampered by underdiagnosis and underreporting. Aim: To determine the frequency of anaphylaxis in an Immunoallergy outpatient department, allowing to a better understanding regarding aetiology, clinical manifestations and management, in children and adolescents. Methods: From 3646 patients up to 18 years old observed in our Immunoallergy department during 2011, we included those with history of anaphylaxis voluntarily reported by the clinical staff (“at least one episode of severe systemic reaction”). Results: During the one year period, 64 children had history of anaphylaxis (prevalence of 1.8%). Mean age was 8.1±5.5 years, with 61% being male. The majority (91%) had personal history of allergic disease, and 44% had asthma as co‑morbidity. Median age of the first anaphylactic episode was 3 years (1 month to 17 years old). In 14 children the first anaphylactic reaction occurred in the first year of life. The majority of patients had food‑induced anaphylaxis (84%): milk (n=22), egg (n=7), peanut (n=6), tree nuts (n=6), fresh fruits (n=6), crustaceans (n=4), fish (n=4) and wheat (n=2). Food‑associated exercise‑induced anaphylaxis was reported in 2 adolescents. Drug‑induced anaphylaxis occurred in 8%: non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (n=4) and amoxicillin (n=1). Three children had cold‑induced anaphylaxis, one adolescent had anaphylaxis to latex and latex‑fruit syndrome, and one child had anaphylaxis to insect sting. The majority (73%) had no previous diagnosis of the etiologic factor. Symptoms reported were mainly mucocutaneous (94%) and respiratory (84%), followed by gastrointestinal (42%) and cardiovascular (25%); 86% beginning in the first 30 minutes after exposure to trigger agent. Fifty‑one (80%) patients were admitted to emergency department, although only 33% were treated with epinephrine. Recurrence of anaphylaxis occurred in 26 patients (3 or more episodes in 14 children). Conclusions: In our pediatric population, the main triggering agent of anaphylaxis was IgE‑mediated food allergy. Epinephrine is clearly underused, as has been reported by others. Often, children have several episodes before being assessed by an allergist. We stress the importance of systematic notification of anaphylaxis and improvement of educational programmes in order to achieve a better preventive and therapeutic management of this life‑threatening entity.

Keywords : Anaphylaxis; children; epinephrine; etiology; notification; annual survey.

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