Risk factors for drug allergies in Chinese children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Clinical Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Drug allergy (hypersensitivity) is a serious condition limiting treatment options.
• Understanding drug allergy characteristics aids in risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical factors associated with drug allergies in Chinese children.
• To differentiate characteristics of IgE-mediated versus delayed drug hypersensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 75 Chinese children (<18 years) undergoing allergy testing (2005-2017).
• Analysis of age of onset, gender, and atopy in relation to drug allergies.
• Utilized univariate, multivariate, and ROC curve analyses.

Main Results:

• 26% of children had drug hypersensitivity (18% IgE-mediated, 10.7% delayed).
• Older age at onset and male gender were associated with IgE-mediated drug allergies.
• Atopic dermatitis and older age correlated with delayed drug hypersensitivities.

Conclusions:

• Older boys are more likely to have drug allergies in this Chinese pediatric cohort.
• Findings contrast with some studies suggesting higher prevalence in younger females.
• Clinical characteristics help differentiate types of drug hypersensitivity.