Anaphylaxis: a 7-year follow-up survey of 46 children.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the frequency of and the features associated with recurrent anaphylaxis in pediatric populations. During 1994 to 1996, we enrolled 76 children affected by anaphylaxis in a prospective study to analyze their clinical and allergic features.


OBJECTIVE
To undertake a follow-up study of these children to ascertain how many experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis.


METHODS
After a mean interval of 7 years, a pediatric allergist conducted a telephone interview of patients who had been enrolled in our 1994-1996 study.


RESULTS
A telephone interview was successfully completed in 46 (61%) of the 76 patients who had been enrolled in our 1994-1996 study. Of these 46 patients, 14 (30%) had experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis. Children with atopic dermatitis either during 1994 to 1996 (64% vs 34%; P = .04) or at the time of the current study (43% vs 16%; P = .03) and those with urticaria-angioedema at the time of the current study (93% vs 31%; P = .0002) were found to be at a significantly higher risk for recurrent anaphylaxis. Furthermore, those children who were sensitive to at least 1 food allergen during 1994 to 1996 were more likely to have experienced a recurrence of anaphylaxis (93% vs 56%; P < .04).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that patients may have a greater risk of recurrence of anaphylaxis if they have atopic dermatitis, urticaria-angioedema, or at least 1 positive result of skin prick tests to food allergens.
Cianferoni
Antonella
A
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, III Pediatric Clinic, University of Florence, Italy.
Novembre
Elio
E
Pucci
Neri
N
Lombardi
Enrico
E
Bernardini
Roberto
R
Vierucci
Alberto
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003625:Data Collection; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D004837:Epinephrine