【Background】

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the clinical course of children with anaphylaxis and to determine the incidence of biphasic reactions in pediatrics.

【Method】

We performed a retrospective analysis of all children admitted for anaphylaxis from our outpatient clinic between 2015 and 2018. Clinical course, including patient characteristics, cause, symptoms, treatment and presence of biphasic allergic response, were collected from medical records.

【Result】

We collected 201 anaphylactic episodes from 129 males and 72 females. The median age was 4 years 3 months. Food was commonly identified as a causative allergen in 158 (78%) of all patients. An adrenaline intramuscular injection was given in 132 cases (66%) as the initial treatment. Biphasic allergic response was observed in 9 cases (4.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant difference between age (p = 0.028) and adrenaline (p = 0.028) as risk factors for the occurrence of biphasic reactions, and the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.01 (1.0-1.3) and 0.19 (0.044-0.026).

【Conclusion】

We clarified the incidence of biphasic reactions in children with anaphylaxis. The administration of intramuscular adrenaline may be significant for preventing severe biphasic anaphylaxis.