Perioperative anaphylaxis in children: Etiology, time sequence, and patterns of clinical reactivity

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Ekaterina Khaleva
  • Amber Franz
  • Garvey, Lene Heise
  • Nicola Jay
  • Alyssa Ylescupidez
  • Henry T. Bahnson
  • George du Toit

Background: Perioperative anaphylaxis (PA) in children is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication associated with anesthesia. Early identification and management of PA is essential to optimize clinical outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of anesthesia records from pediatric patients with PA from centers in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States over a period of 10 years. Time sequence of clinical signs and physiological variables during PA were collected, along with results of allergy testing. Results: Twenty-nine children with PA were included. Median age was 11 years. Based on the modified Ring and Messmer Grading Scale, severe reactions were seen in 25 (86%) members of this cohort, with 4 (14%) experiencing cardiac arrest. Life-threatening hypotension was the first clinical sign of PA in 59% of cases, followed by tachycardia and bronchospasm. In 16 (55%) cases, the initial signs of PA involved multiple organ systems. When the initial signs of PA were cardiovascular and/or respiratory, more epinephrine doses were administered. Average time from initial sign of PA to treatment with epinephrine was 6 minutes (SD: 6, range: 1-25). The causative allergen was identified in 15 patients. Conclusion: Severe hypotension is the most common presenting sign of PA in children. Initial cardiovascular and/or respiratory signs are associated with the need for increased epinephrine doses. Further studies should optimize the prediction, identification, and early management of PA in children.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology
Volume31
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)85-94
ISSN0905-6157
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2020

    Research areas

  • anaphylaxis, anesthesia, children, drug allergy, epinephrine, hypersensitivity, hypotension, perioperative, skin tests, tryptase

ID: 244525446