Anaphylaxis: a 7-year follow-up survey of 46 children

Background: Little is known about the frequency of and the features associated with recurrent anaphylaxis in pediatric populations. During 1994 to 1996, we enrolled 76 children affected by anaphylaxis in a prospective study to analyze their clinical and allergic features. Objective: To undertake a follow-up study of these children to ascertain how many experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis. Methods: After a mean interval of 7 years, a pediatric allergist conducted a telephone interview of patients who had been enrolled in our 1994-1996 study. Results: A telephone interview was successfully completed in 46 (61%) of the 76 patients who had been enrolled in our 1994-1996 study. Of these 46 patients, 14 (30%) had experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis. Children with atopic dermatitis either during 1994 to 1996 (64% vs 34%; P = .04) or at the time of the current study (43% vs 16%; P = .03) and those with urticaria-angioedema at the time of the current study (93% vs 31%; P = .0002) were found to be at a significantly higher risk for recurrent anaphylaxis. Furthermore, those children who were sensitive to at least I food allergen during 1994 to 1996 were more likely to have experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis (93% vs 56%; P < .04). Conclusions: This study suggests that patients may have a greater risk of recurrence of anaphylaxis if they have atopic dermatitis, urticaria-angioedema, or at least 1 positive result of skin prick tests to food allergens.