Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
07:49
Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Paediatric anaphylaxis: a 5 year retrospective review
I L de Silva1, S S Mehr, D Tey
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Allergy
|August 12, 2008
Summary
Most childhood anaphylaxis cases occur at home, triggered by food like peanuts and cashews. Many children experience their first reaction, with delayed therapy administration being a significant concern.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Pediatrics
Background:
- Anaphylaxis in children is a critical medical emergency.
- Understanding triggers and presentation is vital for timely intervention.
- Previous studies on childhood anaphylaxis have varied in scope and population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize demographic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of childhood anaphylaxis.
- To identify common causative agents and settings for pediatric anaphylaxis.
- To analyze the timeliness of treatment administration in pediatric anaphylaxis cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case note review of pediatric anaphylaxis cases.
- Study conducted over a 5-year period at a major children's hospital Emergency Department (ED).
- Inclusion criteria focused on confirmed anaphylaxis presentations in children.
Main Results:
- 123 cases in 117 patients were analyzed; one fatality occurred.
- Food, particularly peanuts and cashews, was the most frequent trigger (85%).
- Most reactions (48%) occurred at home, with respiratory symptoms being predominant (97%).
Conclusions:
- This study represents the largest reported series on childhood anaphylaxis.
- First-time anaphylactic reactions are common in children presenting to the ED.
- Significant delays in therapy administration were observed, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
02:06Allergic Reactions
Overview
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
01:19Pharmacovigilance
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...