title: Anaphylaxis in children: current understanding and key issues in diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Since it is unpredictable and potentially fatal, prompt recognition and treatment are vital to maximize a positive outcome. The occurrence of anaphylaxis is increasing across all ages in the United States, with increased risk of worse outcome in teenagers/young adults and in those with comorbid conditions such as asthma. Gaps in the assessment of patient-specific risk factors, identification and prevention of triggers, recognition of signs/symptoms, and pharmacologic treatment of anaphylaxis have been identified at the physician and caregiver/patient level. A PubMed literature search (January 2000-December 2011) was conducted to identify publications on childhood anaphylaxis using the following terms: food allergy, food allergens, food hypersensitivity, epinephrine, epinephrine auto-injectors, anaphylactic triggers, and anaphylaxis. This review will critically appraise these key issues and highlight strategies that might result in improved management of anaphylaxis in children.
authors: Section of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. cdinakar@cmh.edu
authors: Chitra
authors: C
authors: Dinakar
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004837:Epinephrine