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Newer-generation antihistamines and the risk of adverse events in children: a systematic review
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  • Michael Miligkos,
  • Maria Dakoutrou,
  • Eleni Statha,
  • Nikoletta Theochari,
  • Ilektra Antonia Mavroeidi,
  • Ιoanna Pankozidou,
  • Irene Papaconstadopoulos,
  • Nikolaos Papadopoulos
Michael Miligkos
Agia Sofia Children's Hospital

Corresponding Author:miligkosmike@yahoo.gr

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Maria Dakoutrou
Agia Sofia Children's Hospital
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Eleni Statha
Society of Junior Doctors
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Nikoletta Theochari
Society of Junior Doctors
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Ilektra Antonia Mavroeidi
Society of Junior Doctors
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Ιoanna Pankozidou
Society of Junior Doctors
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Irene Papaconstadopoulos
Monmouth University
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Nikolaos Papadopoulos
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
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Abstract

Background: H1-antihistamines (AHs) are widely used for the treatment of allergic diseases, being one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications in Pediatrics. Newer-generation AHs are associated with fewer adverse effects compared to first-generation. However, their relative harms in the pediatric population still need scrutiny. Methods: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which included comparisons of safety parameters between an orally administered newer-generation AH with another AH (first- or second- generation), montelukast or placebo in children aged≤12 years. We searched MEDLINE and CENTRAL, independently extracted data on study population, interventions, adverse events (AEs) and treatment discontinuations, and assessed the methodological quality of the included RCTs using the Cochrane’s risk of bias tool. Results: Fourty-five RCTs published between 1989 and 2017 met eligibility criteria. The majority of RCTs included school-aged children with allergic rhinitis and had a follow-up period of up to a month. Four RCTs reported serious AEs in patients receiving a newer-generation AH, but only two patients experienced a possibly drug-related serious AE. The occurrence of AEs, drug-related AEs and treatment discontinuations due to AEs varied between RCTs. Most AEs reported were of mild intensity. Indirect evidence indicates that cetirizine is more sedating than the other newer-generation AHs. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that newer-generation AHs have a favorable safety and tolerability profile. However, we could not draw firm conclusions regarding the comparative safety profile of the newer-generation AHs due to the paucity of head-to-head RCTs, variation in definitions and reporting of AEs, and short follow-up duration.
01 Dec 2020Submitted to Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
07 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Jan 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
01 Apr 20211st Revision Received
03 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Oct 2021Published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology volume 32 issue 7 on pages 1533-1558. 10.1111/pai.13522