Anaphylaxis at school. Are we prepared? Could we improve?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Food allergy is a highly prevalent disorder. Anaphylaxis is the most serious consequence, and reactions often occur in schools. In the event of anaphylactic reaction prompt treatment is key and should be initiated by school personnel. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of the management of anaphylaxis, and to determine if it improves after a training session among school staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study carried out by means of a pre-and post-training questionnaire completed by participants before and after a training session held at the school. Data from the same participants before and after the educational session were compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: Three schools were enrolled (with a total of 38 children with food allergy) and 53 participants (85% teachers, 15% canteen staff) were trained. In the pre-training surveys, 83% said they had a Student's Allergic Reaction Management Plan, 56% had met with parents, 83% recognised some symptoms of allergic reaction but only 41% recognised anaphylaxis, 16% knew when to use adrenaline, 15% knew how to use it and 19% knew how to act after administering it. In the post-training questionnaires, 100% were satisfied and believed they had improved their knowledge, 93% recognised anaphylaxis and 95% the treatment of choice. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the intervention their knowledge was insufficient, but it improved considerably after simple training. It also increased the confidence of the staff, which will be decisive when responding to an anaphylactic reaction. We believe that a compulsory training programme should be implemented universally in all schools

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Anaphylaxis at school. Are we prepared? Could we improve?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Food allergy is a highly prevalent disorder. Anaphylaxis is the most serious consequence, and reactions often occur in schools. In the event of anaphylactic reaction prompt treatment is key and should be initiated by school personnel. The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of the management of anaphylaxis, and to determine if it improves after a training session among school staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study carried out by means of a pre-and post-training questionnaire completed by participants before and after a training session held at the school. Data from the same participants before and after the educational session were compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: Three schools were enrolled (with a total of 38 children with food allergy) and 53 participants (85% teachers, 15% canteen staff) were trained. In the pre-training surveys, 83% said they had a Student's Allergic Reaction Management Plan, 56% had met with parents, 83% recognised some symptoms of allergic reaction but only 41% recognised anaphylaxis, 16% knew when to use adrenaline, 15% knew how to use it and 19% knew how to act after administering it. In the post-training questionnaires, 100% were satisfied and believed they had improved their knowledge, 93% recognised anaphylaxis and 95% the treatment of choice. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the intervention their knowledge was insufficient, but it improved considerably after simple training. It also increased the confidence of the staff, which will be decisive when responding to an anaphylactic reaction. We believe that a compulsory training programme should be implemented universally in all schools.

Documento de consenso sobre la actitud ante un niño con una reacción alérgica tras la vacunación o alergia a componentes vacunales / Consensus position document on the child with an allergic reaction after vaccination or an allergy to vaccine components

Las vacunaciones constituyen una de las principales herramientas de salud pública para el control de las enfermedades inmunoprevenibles. Si un niño es etiquetado de haber presentado una reacción alérgica a una vacuna es probable que se suspendan las siguientes inmunizaciones, con los riesgos que ello conlleva. La tasa de reacciones alérgicas graves es muy baja, oscilando entre 0,5 y 1/100.000 dosis. Las proteínas causantes de las reacciones alérgicas, más que los propios antígenos vacunales, son frecuentemente componentes residuales del proceso de fabricación, como son la gelatina y el huevo, y más raramente las levaduras o el látex. La mayoría de las reacciones son leves y localizadas en el lugar de la inyección, aunque en algunos casos pueden producirse reacciones anafilácticas graves. Si se sospecha que se ha producido una reacción alérgica inmediata a la vacuna, o si debemos vacunar a un niño con alergia a alguno de sus componentes, se deberá realizar un correcto diagnóstico de la posible alergia y conocer los componentes habituales de cada vacuna con el fin de determinar si la vacunación puede continuarse de forma segura

Vaccinations are one of the main public health tools for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. If a child is labeled to have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, the next immunizations will probably be suspended in that child, with the risks involved in this decision. The rate of severe allergic reactions is very low, ranging between 0.5-1/100,000 doses. The causes of allergic reactions to vaccines, more than the vaccine itself, are often due to residual protein components in the manufacturing process, such as gelatin or egg, and rarely to yeast or latex. Most of vaccine reactions are mild, localized at the site of injection, but in some circumstances, severe anaphylactic reactions can occur. If an immediate-type allergic reaction is suspected when vaccinating, or a child allergic to some of the vaccine components has to be vaccinated, a correct diagnosis of the possible allergy has to be made. The usual components of each vaccine should be known, in order to determine if vaccination can be performed safely on the child

Perioperative anaphylactic reactions: Review and procedure protocol in paediatrics

Perioperative anaphylactic reactions are immediate, hypersensitive reactions that are potentially life-threatening resulting from a sudden release of mediators from mast cells and basophiles, due to either immune (IgE or non-IgE mediated) or non-immune mechanisms. The most frequent causing agents are neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs), latex and antibiotics, with latex being the first cause in paediatrics. With regard to perioperative anaphylactic reactions, the usual early signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction could be overlooked or erroneously interpreted and non-severe anaphylaxis could go undetected, with a risk of more severe reactions in the future. Using the data registered on the anaesthesia sheet, it is essential to establish a chronological relationship between drugs and/or substances administered and the reaction observed. An elevated level of tryptase confirms an anaphylactic reaction, but this does not usually increase in the absence of compromised circulation. An allergy study should be carried out preferably between 4 and 6 weeks after the reaction, using a combination of specific IgE, skin and controlled exposure tests (if indicated). Test sensitivity is good for NMBAs, latex, antibiotics, chlorhexidine, gelatine and povidone, and poor for barbiturates, opiates (these can give false positives since they are histamine releasers) and benzodiazepines. Special preventive measures should be taken, especially in the case of latex. We present the maximum concentrations recommended for skin tests, the recommended dosage to treat anaphylactic reactions in paediatrics and a procedure algorithm for the allergological study of these reactions

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[Consensus position document on the child with an allergic reaction after vaccination or an allergy to vaccine components]. / Documento de consenso sobre la actitud ante un niño con una reacción alérgica tras la vacunación o alergia a componentes vacunales.

Vaccinations are one of the main public health tools for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. If a child is labeled to have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, the next immunizations will probably be suspended in that child, with the risks involved in this decision. The rate of severe allergic reactions is very low, ranging between 0.5-1/100,000 doses. The causes of allergic reactions to vaccines, more than the vaccine itself, are often due to residual protein components in the manufacturing process, such as gelatin or egg, and rarely to yeast or latex. Most of vaccine reactions are mild, localized at the site of injection, but in some circumstances, severe anaphylactic reactions can occur. If an immediate-type allergic reaction is suspected when vaccinating, or a child allergic to some of the vaccine components has to be vaccinated, a correct diagnosis of the possible allergy has to be made. The usual components of each vaccine should be known, in order to determine if vaccination can be performed safely on the child.

Risk factors of developing asthma in children with recurrent wheezing in the first three years of life.

INTRODUCTION: recurrent wheezing is a common problem during the first years of life, but it is still difficult to identify which of these children may develop asthma in the future. OBJECTIVES: To study risk factors of developing asthma in a group of patients with frequent wheezing during the first three years of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed of a group of 60 patients, aged below three, referred to our Hospital for recurrent wheezing. Age, sex, parental and personal history of atopy, clinical features, laboratory tests, evolution and response to treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: 60 patients were enrolled in study. Most of children were boys and have had the first episode of wheezing after the 6 months of life. 63 % had personal history of atopy and 55 % parental history of allergy. The group of atopic children had more wheezing exacerbations and worse evolution than the group of non atopic. They also had more treatment necessities. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of young children at high risk of developing asthma could permit an early intervention before irreversible changes in the airway appeared.

Risk factors of developing asthma in children with recurrent wheezing in the first three years of life / Factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de asma en niños con dificultad respiratoria recurrente en los tres primeros años de vida

Introduction: recurrent wheezing is a common problem during the first years of life, but it is still difficult to identify which of these children may develop asthma in the future. Objectives: To study risk factors of developing asthma in a group of patients with frequent wheezing during the first three years of life. Material and methods: A prospective study was performed of a group of 60 patients, aged below three, referred to our Hospital for recurrent wheezing. Age, sex, parental and personal history of atopy, clinical features, laboratory tests, evolution and response to treatment were analyzed. Results: 60 patients were enrolled in study. Most of children were boys and have had the first episode of wheezing after the 6 months of life. 63 % had personal history of atopy and 55 % parental history of allergy. The group of atopic children had more wheezing exacerbations and worse evolution than the group of non atopic. They also had more treatment necessities. Conclusions: The identification of young children at high risk of developing asthma could permit an early intervention before irreversible changes in the airway appeared

Introducción: Las sibilancias recurrentes son un problema frecuente en los primeros años de vida. Sin embargo, es aún dificultoso identificar cuáles de estos niños van a desarrollar asma en el futuro. Objetivos: estudiar cuáles son los factores de riesgo de desarrollar asma en un grupo de pacientes con broncoespasmo de repetición durante los primeros tres años de vida. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 60 pacientes con edad igual o inferior a los 3 años, remitidos a nuestro centro por crisis de broncoespasmo repetidas. Se recoge información acerca de: edad, sexo, antecedentes familiares y personales de atopia, exploración física y pruebas alergológicas. Asimismo, evolución clínica y respuesta al tratamiento. Resultados: De los 60 pacientes implicados en el estudio, la mayor parte eran varones y presentaron el primer episodio de broncoespasmo antes de los 6 meses de vida. El 63% tenían antecedentes personales de atopia y el 55% antecedentes familiares de alergia. Los pacientes atópicos presentaron más crisis de sibilancias y peor evolución a corto plazo que los no atópicos. Asimismo, requirieron más tratamiento de mantenimiento. Conclusiones: La identificación precoz de los niños con elevado riesgo de desarrollar asma permitiría una intervención temprana antes de que se desarrollaran cambios irreversibles en la vía aérea