Incidence and severity of acute allergic-like reactions to i.v. nonionic iodinated contrast material in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of acute allergic-like reactions related to i.v. administration of low-osmolality nonionic iodinated contrast material in children.


METHODS
Department of radiology contrast material reaction forms involving pediatric (younger than 19 years) imaging examinations performed from January 1, 1999, through June 30, 2006, were retrospectively evaluated for type of acute allergic-like reaction, severity of reaction, and patient outcome. The electronic medical record was reviewed for pertinent medical history related to each acute reaction, including previous contrast material reaction, premedication before administration of i.v. iodinated contrast material, previous allergic-like reaction to substances other than contrast material, and history of asthma.


RESULTS
In our department during the time period specified, 11,306 pediatric i.v. administrations of low-osmolality nonionic iodinated contrast material were performed. Acute allergic-like reactions to the contrast material were documented in 20 (0.18%) of the patients. Sixteen (80%) of the acute allergic-like reactions were categorized as mild, one (5%) as moderate, and three (15%) as severe. No deaths were attributed to i.v. nonionic iodinated contrast material. Six (30%) of the patients had a history of allergic-like reaction, including two patients who had a history of reaction to iodinated contrast material. Five (25%) of the patients had a history of asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute allergic-like reactions to i.v. administration of low-osmolality nonionic iodinated contrast material in children are rare. As in the adult population, most pediatric reactions are mild; however, severe reactions do occur.
Dillman
Jonathan R
JR
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E Medical Center Dr., B1D407, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. jonadill@med.umich.edu
Strouse
Peter J
PJ
Ellis
James H
JH
Cohan
Richard H
RH
Jan
Sophia C
SC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D007477:Ions; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D003287:Contrast Media; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D007477:Ions