Abstract
Anaphylaxis in children is a potential acute life-threatening systemic
hypersensitivity reaction. Anaphylaxis fatality rate is estimated to be
0.65% to 2%. Food is the main anaphylaxis trigger in children, notably
cow’s milk, peanuts and tree nuts. Mucocutaneous manifestations are
observed in more than 90% of cases, but it is not essential for
diagnosis. Deaths are rather secondary to the laryngeal edema, observed
in 40-50% of cases. Personal history of asthma, allergy to particular
foods such as peanuts and tree nuts, and adolescence are known risk
factors for anaphylaxis and more severe reactions. Epinephrine
(adrenaline) is the medication of choice for the first-aid treatment of
anaphylaxis. However, adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are commercially
available in only 32% of world countries. There are still considerable
unmet needs in the field of anaphylaxis in children. Therefore, the
Montpellier WHO Collaborating Centre aims to start the global actions
plan applied to anaphylaxis.