title: Safety of sublingual immunotherapy in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) was introduced as a safer option to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) which was associated with the possible occurrence of systemic reactions including anaphylaxis and, though very rarely, fatalities. Some anaphylactic reactions to SLIT are reported, mainly in adults but also in children. It is therefore important to investigate the risk factors related to such reactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the literature on the safety of SLIT in children were reviewed. The data reviewed concerned the application of this treatment to patients with respiratory allergy and also possible new indications such as food allergy, atopic dermatitis and latex allergy. Reports of anaphylactic reactions were analyzed to identify the potential risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLIT is a well tolerated treatment, the common side effect being local reactions in the mouth. Systemic reactions, concerning the skin and the airway, are rare and anaphylactic reactions are extremely rare.
authors.affiliation: Stallergenes, Medical and Scientific Department , Via Tibullo 2, 20151, Milan , Italy +39 02 70058778 ; ffrati@stallergenes.it.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ridolo
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fuiano
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dell'Albani
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scala
authors.forename: Cristoforo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Incorvaia
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D063729:Sublingual Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: children; major allergen; safety; sublingual immunotherapy