[Adverse reactions to immunotherapy in pediatric patients].
BACKGROUND
Specific immunotherapy involves administration of allergenic extract in order to reach clinical tolerance of the causal allergens in patients with allergic conditions. When administered, it can provoke side effects.


OBJECTIVE
To identify systemic reactions after specific immunotherapy administration.


METHODS
A retrospective trial from January 1996 to December 2000. We reviewed patients' files with an allergic disease diagnosis that received immunotherapy. We looked for adverse reactions at 20 minutes and immunotherapy sheets report. The results were analyzed by central and dispersion trends.


RESULTS
Annual average was of 1,168 applications, 51 (23%) had an adverse reaction. Average age was of 9.5 +/- 2.2 years. 76.5% were male. 125 (5.7%) patients abandoned the treatment and 2,025 (94.3%) continued it. The frequency of intermittent mild asthma/allergic rhinitis was of 51%, persistent moderate asthma/allergic rhinitis, 9.8, and allergic rhinitis, 9.8%. The most common allergen was Dermatophagoides (80.4%). The most frequent reactions were a wheal (64.7%) and exacerbation of clinic baseline (25.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Percentage of patients with an immunotherapy immediate reaction was of 2.3% according to literature reports (2.1%).
Avila Castañón
Lourdes
L
Departmento de Alergia e Inmunologia Clinica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Dr Márquez 162, Col, Doctores, Mexico, DF, 06729
Lerma-Ortiz
Lourdes
L
Velázquez Armenta
Yadira
Y
del Rio Navarro
Blanca Estela
BE
Sienra Monge
Juan José
JJ
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens