Abstract

VIANA, Jorge da Costa; ABREU, Carmo  and  GOMES, Eva Rebelo. Drug Hypersensitivity In Pre-School Children. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2016, vol.25, n.1, pp.15-21. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Drug hypersensitivity  reactions  (DHRs) are reproducible adverse effects of drugs, taken at a normal therapeutic dose, which clinically resemble allergy. The reported prevalence in children is up to 10%. The investigation of these reactions may require skin testing, dosing of drug specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and drug provocation tests. Objective: The aim of this study is to report the results of DHRs workup in pre-school children seen at the drug allergy clinic from January 2007 to December 2012. Material and Methods: This study included 189 children (61% male), which first suspected drug hypersensitivity reaction occurred before the age of six years that were evaluated for DH in the referred time period. Results: Culprit drugs were beta-lactams in 82% of the cases and NSAIDs in 10%. The clinical history was suggestive of an immediate-type reaction in 18% of the cases and the most prevalent manifestations were cutaneous (90%). The workup was completed in 118 patients (62%). Drug Hypersensitivity was confirmed in six patients (5%) and excluded in 95% of the patients who completed the workup, without any serious complications. Conclusion: These results show the applicability and value of this diagnostic approach in pre-school children.

Keywords : Drug Allergy; Drug Allergy diagnosis; pediatrics; drug provocation tests.

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