Anaphylaxis in children: Effect of age and atopic status
Issued Date
2026-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
0125877X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105036013609
Pubmed ID
38183646
Journal Title
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology
Volume
44
Issue
1
Start Page
179
End Page
185
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology Vol.44 No.1 (2026) , 179-185
Suggested Citation
Wong-Onta N., Sawatchai A., Kanchongkittiphon W., Manuyakorn W. Anaphylaxis in children: Effect of age and atopic status. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology Vol.44 No.1 (2026) , 179-185. 185. doi:10.12932/AP-310723-1664 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116354
Title
Anaphylaxis in children: Effect of age and atopic status
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction with rising incidence worldwide. Young children's limited ability to express symptoms adds unique diagnostic challenges. OBJECTIVE: To study on anaphylaxis in children, including triggers, symptoms, treatment, atopic status impact, and adrenaline injection time intervals. METHODS: In-patient medical records of children who were diagnosed with anaphylaxis during 2014-2021 were reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three anaphylaxis events were identified. Food (47%) was the most common trigger, followed by drugs (31%), blood components (17%), insects (3%), and idiopathic causes (2%). Ten cases of refractory anaphylaxis, 2 cases of biphasic reactions, and 1 case of persistent anaphylaxis were found. There were no reported fatalities. The most common presentations involved the skin (94%), followed by the respiratory (73%), gastrointestinal (47%), and cardiovascular (42%) systems. In atopic patients, wheezing was more prominent than in those without atopy (p-value = 0.017). In the non-atopic patients, there was a higher incidence of cardiovascular symptoms, particularly hypotension (p-value = 0.001), compared to individuals with atopy. Children under 5 years old with mild-moderate anaphylaxis required more time to reach the hospital (147.0 vs. 45.0 minutes, p = 0.033) and to receive adrenaline injections (35.0 vs. 9.0 minutes, p-value = 0.017) than those with severe anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: Childhood anaphylaxis is prevalent. Children with mild-moderate anaphylaxis experienced delays in hospital visits and adrenaline administration. Education on allergies is needed to improve the identification and prompt response to anaphylactic reactions, especially in young children.