Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008 861
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Liberman and Teach Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008
DEFINITION AND DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA dition caused by an IgE-mediated reaction,[ which is Boften
OF ANAPHYLAXIS life-threatening and almost always unanticipated.[ 4
Despite anaphylaxis being not a new phenomenon, it In addition to articulating a definition of anaphylaxis,
was not until 1902 when the term anaphylaxis, meaning the Second Symposium on the Definition and Management
Bagainst protection,[ was introduced by Portier and Richet.1 of Anaphylaxis proposed revised diagnostic criteria to
They used it to describe the fatal reaction that a dog had to identify individuals experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
his second exposure to an extract of jellyfish tentacles. A These criteria3 are outlined in Table 1. The group had 2
hundred years later, although we regularly use the term primary goals when creating their diagnostic criteria: first, to
anaphylaxis and treat its associated symptoms, there remains provide medical personnel with a clear, quick method to
a lack of universal agreement on its definition and criteria for clinically diagnose anaphylaxis and, second, to capture most
its diagnosis. Without a clear definition and diagnostic of those with anaphylaxis or at risk for it. They sought to
criteria, further research of anaphylaxis is difficult. To maximize the sensitivity of the criteria.
address these problems, a diverse group of experts convened In anaphylaxis, the IgE mediated sudden release of
in April 2004 for the Second Symposium on the Definition biologically active mediators from mast cells and basophils
and Management of Anaphylaxis. They defined anaphylaxis results in a multiorgan reaction. The most commonly af-
broadly as Ba serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset fected organs are those with the most mast cells, including
and may cause death.[3 In 2006, the Joint Task Force on the skin, eye, nose, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system,
Practice Parameters, representing the American Academy of and gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 80% of anaphy-
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; the American College lactic reactions include skin manifestations, such as pruritis,
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; and the Joint Council flushing, and generalized hives.5Y7 Therefore, criterion 1
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, developed an updated would successfully identify approximately 80% of patients.
practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of The remaining 20% should be identifiable by using criteria 2
anaphylaxis. The task force defined anaphylaxis as Ba con- and 3. These criteria have yet to be validated in a multicenter
prospective clinical survey, however.
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Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008 Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
FIGURE 1. Algorithm for the treatment of acute anaphylaxis. ACLS indicates advanced cardiac life support; CPR, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation; ICU, intensive care unit. Reprinted with permission from Lieberman et al.4
There are no contraindications to giving epinephrine to tient’s commercially available preloaded epinephrine syringe
someone with an anaphylactic reaction. In fact, it is prudent (eg, EpiPen, Anapen, and Twinject) is available, it should be
to administer epinephrine in uncertain situations when some- administered without delay, preferably before emergency
one may not yet meet the diagnostic criteria. For instance, a medical personnel arrive on the scene. A 0.01-mg/kg or a
person with a history of seafood allergy and anaphylaxis who single preloaded epinephrine dose can be administered every
has just inadvertently ingested shrimp and is beginning to 5 to 15 minutes based on the patient’s status. The 5-minute
experience facial flushing should receive epinephrine. interval can be abbreviated to provide more frequent
Aqueous epinephrine at 1:1000 should be administered injections according to the discretion of the emergency
IM into the anterior-lateral thigh as soon as possible at a dose medical personnel. Recently, IM administration of epineph-
of 0.01 mg/kg (maximum dose, 0.3 mg). Of note, if the pa- rine, instead of subcutaneous, has become the preferred
Copyright @ 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Liberman and Teach Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008
Copyright @ 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008 Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
into algorithms for the management of anaphylaxis. The of epinephrine remain elevated for approximately 1 hour
onset of action of steroids is approximately 4 to 6 hours after IM administration, and subsequent doses of epinephrine
after administration, and they should therefore not be con- or other interventions may be required while epinephrine
sidered first-line therapy for anaphylaxis. Some authors sug- levels diminish. The phenomenon of the biphasic reaction is
gest that corticosteroids may decrease the chances of having not well understood.8 With the observation data available, it
a biphasic reaction; however, this has not been substanti- seems to occur anywhere from 1% to 20% of anaphylactic
ated in well-controlled trials, and there may be evidence that reactions, and the secondary component may be anywhere
there is no effect.8,13Y15 If corticosteroids are given, more from 1 to 72 hours after the initial reaction.6,8,14,16,17 It has
severely affected patients should receive IV methylpredniso- also been noted that a biphasic reaction seems more likely to
lone at a dose of 1 mg/kg 2 times a day (maximum single occur in patients who initially present with severe symp-
dose, 60Y80 mg). For less severe reactions, oral prednisone toms.8 In 1 series, approximately 6% of hospitalized children
at a dose of 1 mg/kg 2 times a day (maximum single dose, with anaphylaxis had a biphasic reaction, and its occurrence
60Y80 mg) can be given. was associated with delayed initial epinephrine administra-
tion.17 To date, there are no validated predictive factors with
which those at highest risk of a biphasic reaction can be
Management of Refractory Anaphylaxis: identified. In general, the biphasic reaction mimics the initial
Continuation of Hospital Management, reaction in organ systems involved. Because the occurrence
Continuous and Intermittent Epinephrine of a biphasic reaction is unpredictable and because, when it
Infusions, Vasopressors, and Glucagon does occur, the time between initial presentation and onset of
the biphasic reaction is so variable, there is no universally
Patients persistently hypotensive despite IM epinephr-
ideal duration of observation after an anaphylactic reaction.
ine and fluid administration may benefit from a continuous
Most biphasic reactions occur within 4 hours of initial pre-
epinephrine infusion. The recommended dosage range for an
sentation18; therefore, a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of obser-
epinephrine drip for both children and adults is 0.1 to 1 2g/kg
vation period after anaphylaxis may be optimal, with the
per minute (maximum, 10 2g/min), titrated based on clinical
caveat that every patient’s observation period can and should
effect. Alternatively, intermittent IV epinephrine boluses
be adjusted to meet the needs of the situation.
have been suggested as an option for refractory hypotension
or cardiovascular collapse. Both options, continuous IV epi-
nenphrine infusion and intermittent epinephrine boluses, pose
a substantial risk for lethal cardiac arrhythmias and should be HOSPITAL DISCHARGE AND FOLLOW-UP
reserved for cases refractory to epinephrine injections and AFTER ANAPHYLAXIS
aggressive volume replacement. Any patient receiving re-
Using the available data and anecdotal evidence as a
peated doses or a continuous infusion of epinephrine must be
guide, each patient’s observation period and discharge criteria
on a cardiac monitor.
should be individualized to take into account initial pre-
Additional options for the management of refractory
sentation, response to therapy, availability of close observa-
hypotension include other vasopressors. Although studied
tion at home, and accessibility of a medical facility from home.
largely in other causes of shock, potent vasopressors such as
The significance of the reaction should be emphasized to
vasopressin and dopamine may aid in the treatment of
hypotension and anaphylactic shock. Regardless of the ther- each patient and family. Hundreds of people in the United
States die of anaphylaxis each year.1 Education about the
apeutic intervention, it is critical that the patient’s hemody-
prevention and prehospital management of anaphylaxis
namic status be monitored continuously.
Although most patients taking $-blockers are adults, is critical. Before hospital discharge, every patient success-
fully treated for an anaphylactic reaction should be given
the severity of anaphylaxis and the complexity of its man-
specific instructions on prevention strategies, identification
agement are negatively impacted by the concomitant use of a
of symptoms, and acute treatment. For those with an iden-
$-blocker. In these cases and when epinephrine is ineffective
tifiable trigger, strict guidelines for avoidance of the pre-
in the management of hypotension, IV glucagon should be
cipitating allergen should be emphasized. The patient and
given to attempt to reverse hypotension. The recommended
family must be given explicit instructions on when and how
dose of glucagon in children is 20 to 30 2g/kg; the maximum
to administer epinephrine.
dose is 1 mg, given over 5 minutes, and followed by an
Simply stated, if there is any doubt, it is safer to ad-
infusion of 5 to 15 2g/min, titrated to effect.3
minister epinephrine. Although there is no consensus on who
should be prescribed self-injectable epinephrine, it seems
reasonable that every patient with a history of anaphylaxis or
OBSERVATION PERIOD AFTER ACUTE at risk for anaphylaxis should have epinephrine available at
ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION all times.1,19 Self-injectable epinephrine in the form of auto-
After successful treatment of anaphylaxis, continued injectors are currently available in 2 fixed doses: 0.15 and
observation in a medical setting is recommended for every 0.3 mg. In general, autoinjectors are more preferred than
patient for 2 primary reasons: because symptoms may recur epinephrine in ampules that must be drawn up into a syringe
as the effects of epinephrine wear off and because every pa- by the caregiver in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. This
tient is at risk for a biphasic reaction. In general, serum levels being said, following the recommended pediatric dose of
Copyright @ 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Liberman and Teach Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008
0.01 mg/kg makes finding the ideal dose a challenge for REFERENCES
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Copyright @ 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008 Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
CME EXAM
Instructions for the Pediatric Emergency Care CME Program Examination
To earn CME credit, you must read the designated article and complete the examination below, answering at least 80% of
the questions correctly. Mail a photocopy of the completed answer sheet to the Lippincott CME Institute Inc., 770 Township
Line Road, Suite 300, Yardley, PA 19067. Only the first answer form will be considered for credit and must be received by
Lippincott CME Institute, Inc. by February 15, 2009. Answer sheets will be graded and certificates will be mailed to each
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2009 issue of Pediatric Emergency Care.
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CME EXAMINATION
December 2008
Please mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET.
Management of Anaphylaxis in Children, Liberman and Teach
1. Based on current evidence, the preferred route for an a. budesonide
epinephrine injection in anaphylaxis is: b. RBC transfusion
a. deltoid, subcutaneous c. propranolol
b. deltoid, intramuscular d. glucagon
c. vastus lateralis, intramuscular e. calcium infusion
d. vastus lateralis, subcutaneous 4. A reasonable amount of time to monitor, from onset of
2. The most important factor contributing to death in patients symptoms to hospital discharge, for a biphasic reaction is
with anaphylaxis is: at least:
a. administering an H1 antagonist orally rather than a. 1 hour
intravenously b. 4Y6 hours
b. failure to inject epinephrine promptly c. 8Y10 hours
c. inability to obtain IV access d. 24 hours
d. failure to monitor patients for a biphasic reaction 5. Prior to hospital discharge, every patient presenting in
e. delay in transport to a medical facility anaphylaxis should be provided with which of the
3. A 3-year-old boy with a history of repaired congenital following:
heart disease who is on medications presents to the a. prescription for a preloaded epinephrine autoinjector
emergency department with anaphylaxis. He is persis- b. anaphylaxis action plan
tently hypotensive despite epinephrine, fluid resuscitation, c. prescriptions for diphenhydramine, ranitidine, and
and the initiation of a dopamine drip. A therapy that may prednisone
prove beneficial in this particular patient could be: d. all of the above
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Liberman and Teach Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008
5. As a result of participating in this CME activity, will you be changing your practice behavior in a manner that improves your patient
care? Please explain your answer.
6. Did you perceive any evidence of bias for or against any commercial products? If yes, please explain.
[ ] Yes [ ] No
[ ] YES! I am interested in receiving future CME programs from Lippincott CME Institute! (Please place a check mark in the box)
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Pediatric Emergency Care Volume 24, Number 12, December 2008 Management of Anaphylaxis in Children
Below you will find the answers to the examination covering the review article in the September 2008 issue. All participants
whose examinations were received by November 15, 2008 and who achieved a score of 80% or greater will receive a certificate
from Lippincott CME Institute, Inc.
EXAM ANSWERS
September 2008
1. E
2. E
3. E
4. E
5. A
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