title: Managing a child with possible allergy to vaccine.
abstract: Similarly to other medications, vaccines may be responsible for allergic reactions. Although IgE-mediated allergies to vaccine are extremely rare, they are clearly overdiagnosed. Indeed, accurate diagnosis of vaccine allergy is important not only to prevent serious or even life-threatening reactions, but also to avoid unnecessary vaccine restriction. Systematic approaches have been proposed and, if implemented, will likely reduce the number of children being inappropriately labeled as allergic to vaccine. In diagnosis of vaccine allergy, the patient's history is central although not sufficient. In case of suspicion of an allergy, the child should be referred to an allergist in order to perform a complete allergy workup, based primarily on skin tests and/or specific IgE. Highlighting the most recent literature, this article will address the management of children with a possible allergy to vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva and Medical School of the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jean-Christoph
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Caubet
authors.forename: Odilija
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rudzeviciene
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Terreehorst
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brockow
authors.forename: Philippe A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eigenmann
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000535:Aluminum / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000535:Aluminum
keywords: allergy; children; drug; hypersensitivity; vaccine