Drug allergy claims in children: from self-reporting to confirmed diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Poorly documented self-reported drug allergy (DAll) is a frequent problem in daily clinical practice and has a considerable impact on prescription choices. The diagnostic work-up of drug hypersensitivity (DHs) allows a better classification of the reactions and provides patients with more reliable information and recommendations for future treatments.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of self-reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and DAll in a paediatric population and to investigate children reporting suspected DAll in order to achieve a firm diagnosis.


METHODS
The first phase was based on a cross-sectional survey assessing the life occurrence of ADRs and self-reported DAll carried out at the outpatient clinic of a paediatric hospital. The second phase was based on the diagnostic work-up in children with parent-reported DAll, including detailed anamnesis and in vitro and in vivo investigations (skin and provocation tests). Participants One thousand four hundred and twenty-six parents responded to the initial survey. Sixty of the 67 patients with reported DAll were evaluated at the allergy clinic.


RESULTS
The prevalences of self-reported ADRs and DAll were 10.2% and 6.0%, respectively. Most of the suspected allergic reactions were non-immediate cutaneous events attributable to beta-lactam antibiotics and occurred in very young children. Thirty-nine of the 60 patients consulting for evaluation had a plausible clinical history and were recommended further investigation. DHs was diagnosed in three children only, based on positive responses in skin (n=1) and oral provocation (n=2) tests.


CONCLUSIONS
ADRs are frequently reported in children, and many children are classified as having a DAll. After complete evaluation, only a few of these reactions can be attributed to DHs and DAll. Most of the patients (94% in this study) could actually tolerate the initially suspected drug.
Rebelo Gomes
E
E
Drug Hypersensitivity Clinic-Allergy Department, Hospital Pediatrico Maria Pia, Porto, Portugal. evamariasrg@yahoo.com
Fonseca
J
J
Araujo
L
L
Demoly
P
P
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires