Abstract
We investigated 117 children who had experienced anaphylactic reaction against foods. Ninety six children experienced severe anaphylactic shock. Thirty three% of children experienced one episode of anaphylaxis, while 67% had two more episodes.
The reactions were due to milk (35.9%), egg (23.9%), wheat (21.4%), peanuts (7.7%) and others. A younger age and eczema were more frequent among the children. Skin and respiratory manifestations had an earlier onset and were more common than the gastrointestinal one.
In 41% and 25% of the children, anaphylaxis rapidly progressed within 9 minutes and 10-19 minutes respectively. It is desirable to provide a self injectable epinephrine to children who experienced severe food induced anaphylactic reaction and their parents.
