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Anaphylaxis in children and adolescents: the Portuguese Anaphylaxis Registry
  • +11
  • Angela Gaspar,
  • Natacha Santos,
  • Emilia Faria,
  • Ana Pereira,
  • Eva Gomez,
  • Rita Câmara,
  • Rodrigo Rodrigues-Alves,
  • Luìs Miguel Borrego,
  • Isabel Carrapatoso,
  • Leonor Carneiro-Leão,
  • Mário Morais-Almeida,
  • Luís Delgado,
  • Elisa Pedro,
  • Manuel Branco-Ferreira
Angela Gaspar
Hospital da Luz Lisboa

Corresponding Author:angela.gaspar@sapo.pt

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Natacha Santos
Centro Hospitalar Universitário Algarve
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Emilia Faria
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE
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Ana Pereira
Hospital CUF Porto and Instituto CUF Porto
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Eva Gomez
Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto EPE
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Rita Câmara
Centro Hospitalar do Funchal
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Rodrigo Rodrigues-Alves
Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada EPE
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Luìs Miguel Borrego
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Isabel Carrapatoso
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE
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Leonor Carneiro-Leão
Centro Hospitalar de São João EPE
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Mário Morais-Almeida
Hospital CUF Descobertas
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Luís Delgado
University of Porto Faculty of Medicine
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Elisa Pedro
Hospital de Santa Maria
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Manuel Branco-Ferreira
Hospital de Santa Maria
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Abstract

Background: Anaphylaxis is increasing at pediatric age; however, its characterization is hampered by underdiagnosis and underreporting. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents in Portugal, thus contributing to a better knowledge of its etiology, clinical manifestations and management. Methods: During a 10-year period a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis was implemented, with voluntary reporting by allergists. Data on 533 patients under 18 years of age with anaphylaxis were included. Results: Mean age was 8.5±4.9 years, 61% were male; 45% had asthma. Mean age at the first anaphylaxis episode was 5.3±4.7 years (ranging from 1 month to 17 years of age), 63% at preschool age. Most reactions occurred at home (57%). Food-induced anaphylaxis was the leading cause (77%). The main culprit foods were cow’s milk (32%), tree nuts (16%), shellfish (13%), egg (12%), fresh fruits (11%), fish (8%) and peanut (8%). Other causes included drugs (11%), insect-sting (5%), cold-induced anaphylaxis (4%), exercise-induced (2%), latex (1%) and idiopathic anaphylaxis (1%). Most patients (83%) were admitted to the emergency department; only 46% received adrenaline treatment. Recurrence of anaphylaxis occurred in 41% of the patients (3 or more episodes in 21%). An adrenaline autoinjector was used in 9% of the patients. Conclusions: In the Portuguese pediatric population, food is the leading cause of anaphylaxis. Undertreatment with adrenaline and high recurrence of anaphylaxis highlight the need to improve both the diagnosis and the therapeutic management of this life-threatening entity.
30 Aug 2020Submitted to Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
17 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
27 Dec 20201st Revision Received
28 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 Mar 20212nd Revision Received
09 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Aug 2021Published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology volume 32 issue 6 on pages 1278-1286. 10.1111/pai.13511