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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
An infant with chronic relapsing urticaria
Candice N Gard1, Jennifer Blase2, Aimee Speck1
1From the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan and.
Insights
A persistent rash in infants, chronic urticaria, often lacks a clear cause. This case study emphasizes thorough evaluation for young children with difficult-to-treat hives.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Chronic urticaria in children has diverse potential causes including infections, physical factors, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory conditions.
- Identifying the specific etiology of chronic urticaria is frequently challenging.
- Urticaria in infants presents unique diagnostic considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential causes of persistent chronic urticaria in a 5-month-old infant.
- To highlight the importance of a detailed history and comprehensive evaluation in pediatric chronic urticaria cases.
- To discuss diagnostic approaches for recalcitrant urticaria in early childhood.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 7-month-old female infant with chronic urticaria.
- Documentation of clinical presentation, including age of onset and duration.
- Assessment of response to standard antihistamine therapy (H1 and H2 blockade).
Main Results:
- The infant presented with persistent urticaria starting at 5 months of age.
- The urticaria showed a poor response to both H1 and H2 blockade.
- The case underscores the need for further investigation beyond initial treatments.
Conclusions:
- Chronic urticaria in infants may require a broader diagnostic workup.
- Thorough patient history and consideration of age-specific factors are crucial.
- Identifying the underlying cause of pediatric chronic urticaria is essential for effective management.
Abstract:
Chronic urticaria in children can be related to viral infections, physical stimuli, autoimmune representation, autoinflammatory, or idiopathic. The cause of chronic urticaria, however, is rarely identified. We present a case of a 7-month-old girl with persistent urticaria that started at age 5 months, with poor response to H1 and H2 blockade, with a focus on identifying probable causes of her chronic urticaria. This case highlights the importance of an urticaria history and considerations for a broader evaluation given the clinical characteristics and patient's age.
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