Abstract
Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria is well-described in adults,
but less so in children. The aim of this study is to describe the
demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes of
children with chronic, spontaneous urticaria. Methods: This
retrospective study followed children up to 18 years-old, diagnosed with
chronic spontaneous urticaria, between the years 2002-2018 and treated
in a tertiary referral allergy and clinical immunology center. Data
including demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities,
treatments and outcomes was extracted from electronic medical records.
Results: Records of 380 children coded to have chronic urticaria were
reviewed, of which 250 (65.8%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for
chronic spontaneous urticaria. There were 136 females (54.4%). Mean age
at diagnosis was 11.4 years, 122 (48%) were adolescents. The average
duration of chronic spontaneous urticaria was 12.25±15.2 months. The
urticaria in 208 children )83.2%) resolved within 24 months.
Eighty-seven patients (34.8%) had at least one atopic disease. Atopic
comorbidities included atopic dermatitis in 17.2%, allergic rhinitis in
16%, asthma in 13.2% and food allergy in 3.2%. Eighteen patients
(7.2%) had a concomitant autoimmune disease. Nine (3.6%) had thyroid
disease. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Chronic spontaneous
urticaria in children is a self-limited disease with favorable
prognosis. Atopic diseases are more prevalent in children with chronic
spontaneous urticaria than in the general pediatric population;
increasing the possibility of a special subgroup of TH2-related chronic
urticaria in children.