Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to anaphylaxis in childhood and adolescence

Anaphylaxis is a suddenly occurring potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction. In childhood, food allergens play a major role but insect stings and drugs are also potential triggers. The symptoms appear in minutes up to few hours on the skin, airways, gastrointestinal tract and/or the cardiovascular system. Intramuscular adrenaline is the drug of first choice due to its rapid effectiveness and its low side effect potential. A detailed patient history and the determination of potential IgE antibodies must be carried out to identify the triggers. The register for anaphylaxis has improved knowledge on epidemiology. An education in anaphylaxis is useful for every patient as well as parents and caregivers. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is currently the only causal treatment option; however, at the present time it is only available for insect bites and peanut allergy.