Pediatricians' knowledge about recent advances in anaphylaxis treatment in Istanbul, Turkey

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Clinical Pediatrics
• Allergy and Immunology

Background:

• Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction requiring prompt medical intervention.
• Recent advancements in anaphylaxis treatment necessitate updated knowledge among healthcare providers.
• The current understanding of these advances among pediatricians remains largely unassessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the awareness and knowledge of pediatricians regarding recent therapeutic advances in managing childhood anaphylaxis.
• To identify specific knowledge gaps in the treatment protocols and medication details for anaphylaxis.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to pediatricians in Istanbul.
• A total of 124 pediatricians participated in the study.
• The questionnaire assessed knowledge of first-line treatments, administration routes, and epinephrine autoinjector specifics.

Main Results:

• While 92% recognized epinephrine as the primary treatment, 65% favored the subcutaneous route, which is not the current standard for rapid absorption.
• Over 80% lacked knowledge of epinephrine autoinjector trademarks and dosages.
• Overall knowledge regarding recent anaphylaxis management guidelines was found to be unsatisfactory.

Conclusions:

• Pediatricians' current knowledge of recent anaphylaxis treatment advances is inadequate.
• Gaps in knowledge, particularly concerning epinephrine autoinjectors, pose a risk to pediatric patients.
• Urgent need for targeted educational programs to enhance pediatricians' expertise in anaphylaxis management.