VIEW
SHAREOverview
Most anaphylactic reactions are due to foods, insect stings, or drugs. The incidence of anaphylaxis is increasing dramatically. The most common peri-operative cause of anaphylaxis is neuromuscular blocking agents. Only one third of cases have an identifiable trigger. Of the foods, peanuts, other tree nuts, fish and shellfish are responsible for most fatal or near-fatal reactions.
Children present differently from adults, usually with cutaneous signs (80-90%) and respiratory symptoms (60-70%) on a background of atopy. Hypotensive reactions are less common but do occur (30-40%).
Most Recent References
Anaphylaxis in a New York City pediatric emergency department: triggers, treatments, and outcomes. Huang F, Chawla K, Järvinen KM, Nowak-Węgrzyn A. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 Jan;129(1):162-8.e1-3. Epub 2011 Oct 22.
An update on epidemiology of anaphylaxis in children and adults. Koplin JJ, Martin PE, Allen KJ. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Oct;11(5):492-6. Review
Muscle relaxants allergy. Peroni DG, Sansotta N, Bernardini R, Crisafulli G, Franceschini F, Caffarelli C, Boner AL. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Jul-Sep; 24(3 Suppl):S35-46. Review
