Parent-reported penicillin allergies in children: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Penicillin allergies are frequently reported in children, but many are inaccurate.
• False penicillin allergies lead to unnecessary use of alternative antibiotics, fostering antibiotic resistance.
• Referrals for formal penicillin allergy testing in children are infrequent, limiting understanding of parental perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parents' experiences and perceptions regarding their child's reported penicillin allergy.
• To understand parental attitudes towards penicillin allergy testing.
• To identify strategies for involving parents in antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Eighteen parents of children with reported penicillin allergies participated.
• Data collected through interviews and analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Parents became receptive to penicillin allergy testing upon learning about its implications and availability.
• Key themes included parents' understanding of allergy, perceptions of the allergy label, attitudes toward testing, and desire for information.
• Children were, on average, 2 years old at the time of the initial reaction, with 7 years elapsed since.

Conclusions:

• Parental engagement is crucial for addressing falsely reported penicillin allergies.
• Informing parents about allergy testing can facilitate informed decision-making.
• This approach supports antimicrobial stewardship by promoting appropriate antibiotic selection.