Anaphylaxis in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Anaphylaxis represents a severe, systemic and potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction that severely impairs the life of affected children and their caregivers. With an estimated life time prevalence of 0.05% to 2%, it is not a rare disease. Therefore every physician caring for children at risk for anaphylaxis should be familiar with this disease pattern. Foods are the most frequent triggers in children; less frequent causes include drugs and insect venom. Particularly in case of idiopathic anaphylaxis, systemic mastocytosis should be ruled out as a potential differential diagnosis in this age group as well. First line emergency treatment consists of parenteral epinephrine in a weight-adjusted dosage, and after cardiovascular stabilization systemic antihistamines and corticosteroids as well as inhaled beta-mimetics can be administered. Affected patients, their relatives and other caregivers should receive extensive training in order to guarantee an adequate emergency management of anaphylactic children.