Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Characteristics of Pediatric Emergency Department Presentations of Anaphylaxis in Spain
Mikel Olabarri1, Nuria Sanz2, Sebastià Gonzalez-Peris3
1From the Pediatric Emergency Department, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces. University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU. Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
Insights
Food, particularly milk and nuts, are the main triggers for pediatric anaphylaxis in Spain. Health education needs improvement due to underutilization of epinephrine autoinjectors in emergency cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction requiring prompt recognition and management.
- Understanding common triggers and circumstances is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the primary triggers of pediatric anaphylaxis in Spain.
- To analyze the specific circumstances and management of anaphylaxis episodes in children.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a prospective, observational, multicenter study.
- Inclusion of 453 children under 18 diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (2016-2018).
Main Results:
- Food was the trigger in 87.4% of cases, with milk (30.4%) and nuts (29.0%) being most frequent.
- Episodes predominantly occurred at home (65.1%).
- Only 24.2% of children prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector actually used it.
Conclusions:
- Milk and nuts are the leading causes of anaphylaxis in Spanish children presenting to emergency departments.
- Low epinephrine autoinjector use highlights a need for enhanced patient and caregiver education.
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the triggers of pediatric anaphylaxis in Spain and to analyze the circumstances of the episode.
Methods:
Planned secondary analysis of a prospective observational multicenter study endorsed by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies including children aged younger than 18 years diagnosed with anaphylaxis in 7 Spanish pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between 2016 and 2018. We analyzed factors related to the anaphylaxis episode and its management.
Results:
Four hundred fifty-three cases were registered, happening mainly at home (295 [65.1%]), school (65 [14.3%]), and street (61 [13.5%]). The median age was 5 years, 143 (31.6%) had previous episodes, and 165 (36.4%) had previously been prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector, used in 40 (24.2% of those prescribed). Two thirds were well-appearing when arriving to the pediatric ED. Food was the trigger in 396 (87.4%). In 349 with a single food involved, the most frequent were milk (108 [30.4%]), nuts (103 [29.0%]), hen's egg (40 [11.3%]), and fish (31 [8.7%]), with variations related to the age of the child.
Conclusions:
Food, especially milk and nuts, are responsible for most anaphylaxis diagnosed in Spanish pediatric EDs. Consideration should be given to improving health education due to the low use of epinephrine autoinjectors.
Related Concept Videos
02:06Allergic Reactions
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
01:27Allergic Drug Reactions
01:23Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:30Introduction Cardiac Emergencies