An analysis of anaphylaxis cases at a single pediatric emergency department during a 1-year period

• Published in: Annals of allergy, asthma, & immunology Vol. 118; no. 4; pp. 461 - 464
• Main Authors: Wright, Christopher D., BS, Longjohn, Mindy, MD, Lieberman, Phillip L., MD, Lieberman, Jay Adam, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Allergens - immunology; Allergy and Immunology; Anaphylaxis - diagnosis; Anaphylaxis - epidemiology; Anaphylaxis - etiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Medical Services - statistics & numerical data; Emergency Service, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Length of Stay; Male; Pediatrics - statistics & numerical data; Phenotype; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1081-1206; 1534-4436
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2017.02.002

Abstract Background Case series of anaphylaxis can vary regarding causes, treatments, and follow-up of patients. Unfortunately, case series that are specific to the pediatric population are few. Objective To describe confirmed cases of pediatric anaphylaxis in patients presenting to a pediatric hospital emergency department (ED). Methods We identified all ED visits with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD-9 ) codes 995.XX (allergic reactions) and 989.5 (sting or venom reaction) for 1 calendar year (January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014). Cases were reviewed by an allergist and an emergency medicine physician to identify true anaphylaxis cases using National Institute of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases criteria. Any questionable or debatable cases were evaluated and adjudicated by a second allergist. Results We identified 927 unique ED visits. Of these visits, 40 were determined to definitively meet anaphylaxis criteria. Median age of the patients was 6.5 years. A total of 70% of patients were male, and 80% were African American. Causes included foods (65%), venom or insect sting (12.5%), and medications (5%), and 17.5% were idiopathic. All patients had multiorgan involvement, with 98% having skin involvement, 78% having lower respiratory tract symptoms, and 40% having gastrointestinal symptoms. There were no deaths. Only 33% of patients received epinephrine at some point in their care. Only 12 patients were referred to an allergist, and only 4 of these were actually seen by an allergist. Conclusion At our center, foods are the most common trigger for pediatric anaphylaxis. Patients continue to be undertreated, and referral to an allergist from the ED is rare.