RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does anaphylaxis masquerade as asthma in children?
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 83
OP 84
DO 10.1136/emermed-2014-203603
VO 32
IS 1
A1 N Sargant
A1 M Erlewyn-Lajeunesse
A1 J Benger
YR 2015
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/32/1/83.abstract
AB Anaphylaxis in children presents most frequently with respiratory features, and concern exists about the potential for diagnostic confusion with acute asthma. 84 cases of asthma requiring intensive care were identified. 11 cases met exclusion criteria, which left 73 cases for analysis using established anaphylaxis diagnostic criteria. 13/73 children (17.8%) were found to have sufficient clinical features for a diagnosis of anaphylaxis to be entertained, with 3/73 cases (4.1%) considered highly likely to be anaphylaxis. This study highlights the potential for diagnostic confusion and demonstrates the need to consider anaphylaxis in all children presenting with severe asthma.