Clinical features of anaphylaxis in children

Background: Despite the considerable increase in anaphylaxis frequency, there are limited studies on clinical features of Objective: We aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical features of anaphylaxis in children in Turkey by comparing Methods: Medical records of 147 children, ages 0-18 years, diagnosed with anaphylaxis between 2010 and 2019 were retResults: The mean +/- standard deviation age at first anaphylaxis episode was 5.9 +/- 5.2 years, with a male predominance (63.9%); 25.2% were infants and 52.4% were < 6 years of age at their first anaphylaxis episode; 78.2% were atopic, with the highest frequency in children with food-induced anaphylaxis (FIA). The home (51.7%) was the most frequent setting. The overall leading cause of anaphylaxis was food (44.2%), which was more frequent at 6 years of age, followed by drugs (28.6%) and bee venom (22.4%), both were more frequent among older children ( 0.001). Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed significantly more in infants (48.6%) and in children with FIA (38.5%); cardiovascular symptoms were more frequently observed in children 6 years of age (48.6%) and in children with drug-induced anaphylaxis (64.3%). Although recurrent anaphylaxis was reported for 23.1% of the patients, it was highest in the patients with FIA (35.9%). Overall, only 47.6% of the patients received epinephrine in the emergency department (ED) and 27.3% were referred to an allergy specialist, with the patients with FIA having the lowest rate for both, 32.3% and 10.8%, respectively. Children with drug-induced anaphylaxis had the highest rate of Conclusion: There is a need to improve anaphylaxis recognition and management in all children regardless of age and trigger. Inadequate treatment was most evident in infants and patients with FIA. (Allergy Asthma Proc 43:50-56, 2022; doi: 10.2500/aap.2022.43.210089)