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Anaphylaxis to povidone in a child
C Pedrosa1, H Costa, G Oliveira
1Paediatric Allergy Unit, Gaia Hospital, Gaia, Portugal. claudiampedrosa@yahoo.com
Summary
Povidone, an ingredient in many products, caused anaphylaxis in a child. This case highlights povidone (PVP) as a potential allergen, even in children previously tolerating related substances.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Povidone (PVP) is a common excipient in pharmaceuticals and topical antiseptics.
- Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
- Identifying novel allergens is crucial for patient safety and clinical management.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old male experienced two episodes of anaphylaxis.
- Reactions occurred shortly after oral Fluvermal (flubendazole) and topical Betadine (povidone-iodine).
- Previous exposure to similar agents did not elicit adverse reactions.
Findings:
- Allergy workup revealed eosinophilia, elevated total IgE, and positive prick-by-prick tests for both Fluvermal and Betadine.
- A specific positive prick-by-prick test to povidone confirmed it as the common allergen.
- This represents a potential first documented case of povidone-induced anaphylaxis in a child.
Implications:
- Povidone should be considered a potential allergen in pediatric anaphylaxis cases.
- Clinicians should be aware of povidone as a hidden allergen in various formulations.
- Further investigation into povidone allergy prevalence and cross-reactivity is warranted.