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Published on: October 15, 2013
Beta lactam allergy in children from two ethnically different populations
Arnon Broides1, Lia Kirjner, Rafael Gorodischer
1Pediatric Allergy Clinic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. broides@bgu.ac.il
Summary
Physician-reported beta lactam allergy is more common in Jewish children than Bedouin children in Israel. This allergy was also more frequently diagnosed in boys compared to girls across both ethnic groups.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Ethnicity's impact on beta lactam allergy remains underreported.
- The Negev Desert hosts distinct Jewish and Bedouin populations undergoing lifestyle changes.
- Understanding ethnic variations in antibiotic allergy is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of physician-reported beta lactam allergy in pediatric populations.
- To compare the rates of beta lactam allergy between Jewish and Bedouin children in Southern Israel.
- To identify potential demographic factors influencing beta lactam allergy diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 26,655 pediatric medical records from community clinics.
- Screening records for documented allergies to beta lactam antibiotics.
- Comparative analysis of allergy rates between ethnic groups and genders.
Main Results:
- Beta lactam allergy was documented in 1.3% of children, with higher rates in Jewish (2.1%) versus Bedouin (0.8%) children (P < 0.0001).
- Allergy prevalence was significantly higher in boys than girls in both ethnic groups (P < 0.01).
- Clinical features of reactions were similar, but antibiotic prescribing patterns differed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric beta lactam allergy is diagnosed more frequently in Jewish children compared to Bedouin children.
- Male gender is associated with a higher incidence of beta lactam allergy in both studied populations.
- Further research into prescribing patterns and diagnostic criteria across ethnicities is warranted.
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