Abstract
We have experienced 13 cases of food-induced anaphylactic shock out of 25,574 patients who visited our emergency room between 2003 and 2005. Patients ranged in age from 6 months through to 15 years and about half of them were under 2. Nine patients were male and 4 were female. In 5 of the cases the causative agent was found to be egg, whilst two cases were fish or the remaining cases were believed to be caused variously by peanuts, wheat and a peach. The causes of additional 3 cases were unknown.
Four of the patients, all of whom were male, have repeatedly suffered from anaphylactic shock. The patients aged 1 and 4 had eaten egg by mistake, whereas the 11 and 15 year olds were diagnosed with food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis which they had previously failed to recognize.
In 8 patients, onset of reaction occurred within 10 minutes of ingestion of the causative food substance, making the majority of cases. The time from onset to arrival at hospital is dependent primarily on the distance to hospital, and presentation of symptoms. No patient arrived at hospital within 30 minutes after onset of symptoms, and another 9 arrived within 31-60 minutes.
Considering the time from onset to arrival at hospital, and thus the delayed time before professional medical treatment can be administrated, it is highly advisable for diagnosed sufferers of anaphylactic shock to carry self-injectable epinephrine as a preventative measure. It is also important to recognize food allergy and anaphylactic shock in schools, as well as informing patients and guardians.
