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Exploring treatment options for pediatric refractory chronic urticaria
Maria Kostara1,2, Chrysoula Kosmeri2, Emek Kocatürk3,4,5
1Child Health Department, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Insights
Chronic urticaria (CU) significantly impacts children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Immunology
- Allergy
Background:
- Urticaria is an inflammatory skin condition affecting 1.4% globally.
- Chronic urticaria (CU) significantly impacts children's quality of life.
- Refractory CU in children does not respond to standard antihistamines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the stepwise treatment approach for pediatric refractory CU.
- To highlight challenges in managing chronic urticaria in children.
- To emphasize the need for ongoing research in pediatric urticaria.
Main Methods:
- Review of current treatment guidelines for pediatric urticaria.
- Analysis of first-line, second-line, and emerging therapies.
- Discussion of management strategies for antihistamine-refractory cases.
Main Results:
- First-line treatment involves second-generation H1-antihistamines with dose escalation.
- Omalizumab is recommended for antihistamine-refractory CU.
- Emerging therapies show promise but require further pediatric research.
Conclusions:
- A stepwise approach is crucial for managing pediatric refractory CU.
- Optimizing treatment strategies is essential for improving patient outcomes.
- Further research is needed to address treatment challenges in pediatric populations.
Introduction:
Urticaria is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic wheals, angioedema, or both. The global lifetime prevalence of chronic urticaria (CU) is estimated at 1.4%, with a slightly higher prevalence in children than adults. Although CU is not life-threatening, it significantly affects children's quality of life, affecting sleep, daily activities, and emotional well-being.
Areas Covered:
While many cases remit over time, a subset of children experiences refractory CU, which does not respond to standard or high-dose antihistamines. Treatment follows a stepwise approach, with second-generation H1-antihistamines, including dose escalation, as the first-line therapy. Omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, is recommended for antihistamine-refractory cases. Other options include cyclosporine A and short-term corticosteroids for severe exacerbations. Emerging therapies, including dupilumab, Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and barzolvolimab, show promise for refractory cases but require further research in pediatric populations.
Expert Opinion:
A stepwise treatment approach for pediatric refractory CU is presented in this review. Given its chronic nature and treatment challenges, ongoing research is crucial to optimize management strategies and improve patient outcomes.
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