Carrying rates of epinephrine devices in children with food-induced anaphylaxis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Anaphylaxis requires prompt epinephrine administration for life-saving treatment.
• Epinephrine auto-injector features may affect patient willingness to carry.
• Carrying rates of epinephrine auto-injectors are unknown in children with a history of food-induced anaphylaxis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of epinephrine auto-injector carrying in children with a history of food-induced anaphylaxis.
• To identify factors influencing the decision to carry and use epinephrine auto-injectors.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving structured interviews with primary caregivers of children with a history of food-induced anaphylaxis.
• Data collected on epinephrine carrying habits, reasons for non-carrying, school first-aid availability, and reasons for epinephrine non-use.

Main Results:

• Epinephrine auto-injectors were carried by 84.7% of children (57.6% always, 27.2% sometimes).
• Primary reasons for not carrying included belief in allergen avoidance and lack of school first-aid facilities (48.3% availability).
• Of those with relapsing episodes, 82.9% carried epinephrine, but only 58.8% used it, with fear of injection being a common barrier (28.5%).

Conclusions:

• The majority of children with food-induced anaphylaxis carry epinephrine auto--injectors.
• Despite carrying, epinephrine auto-injector use during anaphylactic episodes remains suboptimal, with fear of injection being a significant factor.
• Interventions to enhance epinephrine auto-injector carrying and provide injection training are essential.