Anaphylaxis in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Analysis of 133 Cases After an Allergy Workup

Abstract

Background: Data on the incidence and characteristics of pediatric anaphylaxis are scarce. Reported causes of anaphylaxis are mostly those suspected by the physician in the emergency department (ED), which may not coincide with the real triggers. Objectives: To investigate the incidence, management, and etiology of pediatric anaphylaxis in the ED of a Spanish tertiary hospital and to determine the concordance between the suspected etiology in the ED and diagnosis after the allergy workup. Methods: We performed an observational, descriptive study of all patients with anaphylaxis attended in the pediatric ED from 2012 to 2014. Cases were considered anaphylaxis based on National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network criteria. We recorded data on clinical characteristics, management, etiology suspected by the ED physician and patient (or relatives), and the workup performed in the allergy department. Results: We recorded 133 cases of anaphylaxis (incidence, 0.12%), with 20 cases (15%) recorded in children younger than 12 months. Anaphylaxis was correctly diagnosed in the ED in 70 cases (53%). Food allergy was the cause of anaphylaxis in 106 out of 118 studied in the allergy department (AD) (90%). The final etiology differed from the etiology initially suspected in the ED in 42 cases (39%). After the study, the frequency of patients with unidentified triggers decreased by 75%. Conclusions: The incidence of anaphylaxis is higher in children than previously reported in adults from the same center, and food is the trigger in most cases. To prevent erroneous diagnoses, the etiology of anaphylaxis should be established after an appropriate workup.