Pediatric Anaphylaxis: A 20-Year Retrospective Analysis

Maria De Filippo1,2, Martina Votto1, Maria Albini1

  • 1Pediatric Unit, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric anaphylaxis, often triggered by food, requires prompt management. Adrenaline use in children needs improvement, alongside increased medical community awareness and education for better anaphylactic reaction control.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction with increasing global incidence.
  • Food allergens are the primary cause of anaphylaxis in pediatric populations.
  • Anaphylaxis exhibits heterogeneity in clinical presentation, severity, and triggers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical features and management strategies of anaphylactic reactions in children.
  • To identify key triggers and affected systems in pediatric anaphylaxis cases.
  • To evaluate the current management approach, including adrenaline administration.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study design.
  • Inclusion of pediatric patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis between 2001 and 2021.
  • Data analysis of patient demographics, triggers, clinical manifestations, and management.

Main Results:

  • 148 pediatric patients with a median age of 5 years were included.
  • Food was the most frequent trigger for anaphylaxis.
  • Atopic comorbidities (80%) correlated with increased anaphylaxis severity; reactions commonly affected mucocutaneous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, often occurring at home.
  • Adrenaline was underutilized in the studied cases.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt administration of adrenaline is crucial for managing life-threatening anaphylaxis in children.
  • Enhanced education and awareness regarding anaphylaxis management are vital for the medical community.
  • Addressing atopic comorbidities may be important in preventing severe pediatric anaphylaxis.
Abstract

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