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Emergency department childhood anaphylaxis presentations in regional/remote Australia
Citation
Weber, HC and Bassett, GL and Hollingsworth, LK and Gan, VWS and Rose, S and Lim, J and Prior, SJ, Emergency department childhood anaphylaxis presentations in regional/remote Australia, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health pp. 1-7. ISSN 1034-4810 (2022) [Refereed Article]
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Abstract
Aim: Explore the prevalence of childhood anaphylaxis and clinical presentation of anaphylaxis in children across two regional emergency departments over a 7-year period.
Methods: Retrospective audit of all children (0-18 years) presenting to emergency from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2016 with anaphylaxis, defined by Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy definitions and doctor diagnosis.
Results: Seven hundred and twenty-four patients were identified with allergic diagnosis, 60% were diagnosed with non-anaphylaxis allergic reactions or unspecified urticaria and 40% with anaphylaxis (n = 286). Annual prevalence of anaphylaxis remained stable over the study period (M = 30.9/10 000 cases, range: 20.8-48.3/10 000). Gender distribution was equal, median age was 9.48 years (interquartile range = 4-15). Most (71%) arrived by private transport. 23% had a prior history of anaphylaxis. Food triggers (44%) were the most common cause of anaphylaxis. Insect bites/stings triggers occurred in 21%. Patients were promptly assessed (average wait time = 13 min), 16% received prior adrenaline injections. Adrenaline was administered in 26% and 20% were admitted to hospital. On discharge, 29% had a follow-up plan, 9% received an allergy clinic referral, 6% anaphylaxis action plan, 26% adrenaline autoinjector prescriptions and allergy testing performed in 6%.
Conclusions: We found a relatively low prevalence of overall childhood anaphylaxis in a regional area. The two most common causes of anaphylaxis in this population (food and bites/stings) recorded increased prevalence providing an opportunity for further study. Significant gaps in evidence-based care of anaphylaxis were noted, demonstrating the need for improved recognition and treatment guideline implementation in regional areas.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | anaphylaxis, paediatric, regional/rural |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Clinical sciences |
Research Field: | Rural clinical health |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Provision of health and support services |
Objective Field: | Urgent and critical care, and emergency medicine |
UTAS Author: | Weber, HC (Dr Heinrich Weber) |
UTAS Author: | Hollingsworth, LK ( Laura Hollingsworth) |
UTAS Author: | Gan, VWS (Mr Vincent Gan) |
UTAS Author: | Rose, S (Ms Samantha Rose) |
UTAS Author: | Prior, SJ (Dr Sarah Prior) |
ID Code: | 149977 |
Year Published: | 2022 |
Deposited By: | Medicine |
Deposited On: | 2022-05-05 |
Last Modified: | 2022-05-18 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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