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Protocols for drug allergy desensitization in children
Lucia Diaferio1, Mattia Giovannini2, Evangéline Clark3
1Department of Pediatrics, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|November 28, 2019
Summary
Drug desensitization (DDS) allows essential reintroduction of medication for children with proven hypersensitivity. This temporary immune tolerance is crucial for managing chronic diseases, infections, and malignancies in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions necessitate alternative treatment strategies.
- Drug desensitization (DDS) enables temporary immune tolerance for essential therapies.
- Pediatric DDS is vital for children with chronic diseases, infections, or malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on drug desensitization (DDS) in pediatric patients.
- To identify patient populations and drug classes most commonly addressed by DDS protocols.
- To highlight the need for standardized pediatric DDS guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Literature search conducted on PubMed and Web of Science for DDS studies.
- Analysis of adapted adult DDS protocols for pediatric application.
- Review of common drug classes used in pediatric DDS.
Main Results:
- Most DDS protocols are adapted from adult guidelines for pediatric use.
- Immediate, IgE-mediated drug allergies are primary indications for DDS in children.
- Antibiotics (beta-lactams), chemotherapy, and monoclonal antibodies are frequently used in pediatric DDS.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric DDS requires collaboration between allergists and other specialists.
- Standardized protocols and international guidelines are essential for optimizing pediatric DDS.
- Further research is needed to implement DDS effectively in daily clinical practice.
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