Management of chronic urticaria in children: a clinical guideline

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Allergy and Immunology
• Pediatric Dermatology

Background:

• Chronic urticaria (CU) is a significant condition in childhood.
• Existing guidelines for CU management in pediatric populations are limited.
• A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for effective CU care in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria in children.
• To provide recommendations for clinicians and healthcare professionals involved in pediatric CU care.
• To establish standardized approaches for CU diagnosis and treatment in childhood.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary panel, including experts from the Italian Society for Pediatrics (SIP), Italian Society for Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP), and Italian Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SIDerP), was convened.
• Systematic literature search and evaluation were performed to address key questions on CU epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis, and management.
• Recommendations were rated, and algorithms for diagnosis and treatment were developed based on the evaluated literature.

Main Results:

• Key questions regarding the epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis, and management of childhood chronic urticaria were addressed.
• A systematic literature review informed the development of evidence-based recommendations.
• Algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic urticaria in children were created.

Conclusions:

• The developed guidelines focus on identifying associated diseases and comorbidities in pediatric CU.
• Strategies for recognizing and managing triggering factors are recommended.
• The guidelines promote individualized care to improve treatment outcomes for children with chronic urticaria.