title: Paediatric anaphylaxis in a Singaporean children cohort: changing food allergy triggers over time.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have noticed changes in paediatric anaphylaxis triggers locally in Singapore.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical features, causative agents and management of children presenting with anaphylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of Singaporean children presenting with anaphylaxis between January 2005 and December 2009 to a tertiary paediatric hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eight cases of anaphylaxis in 98 children were included. Food was the commonest trigger (63%), followed by drugs (30%), whilst 7% were idiopathic. Peanut was the top food trigger (19%), followed by egg (12%), shellfish (10%) and bird's nest (10%). Ibuprofen was the commonest cause of drug induced anaphylaxis (50%), followed by paracetamol (15%) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, 12%). The median age of presentation for all anaphylaxis cases was 7.9 years old (interquartile range 3.6 to 10.8 years), but food triggers occurred significantly earlier compared to drugs (median 4.9 years vs. 10.5 years, p < 0.05). Mucocutaneous (91%) and respiratory features (88%) were the principal presenting symptoms. Drug anaphylaxis was more likely to result in hypotension compared to food anaphylaxis (21.9% vs. 2.7%, Fisher's exact probability < 0.01). There were 4 reported cases (3.6%) of biphasic reaction occurring within 24 h of anaphylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food anaphylaxis patterns have changed over time in our study cohort of Singaporean children. Peanuts allergy, almost absent a decade ago, is currently the top food trigger, whilst seafood and bird's nest continue to be an important cause of food anaphylaxis locally. NSAIDs and paracetamol hypersensitivity are unique causes of drug induced anaphylaxis locally.
authors: Allergy Service, Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.
authors: Woei Kang
authors: WK
authors: Liew
authors: Wen Chin
authors: WC
authors: Chiang
authors: Anne En
authors: AE
authors: Goh
authors: Hwee Hoon
authors: HH
authors: Lim
authors: Oh Moh
authors: OM
authors: Chay
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Chang
authors: Jessica Hy
authors: JH
authors: Tan
authors: E'ching
authors: E
authors: Shih
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Kidon
keywords: Anaphylaxis; Drug allergy; Food allergy; Paediatrics
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