Multicenter prevalence of anaphylaxis in clinic-based oral food challenges.

BACKGROUND: Although previous single-center studies report the rate of anaphylaxis for oral food challenges (OFCs) as 9% to 11%, little is known regarding the epidemiology of clinical OFCs across multiple centers in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To examine the epidemiology, symptoms, and treatment of clinical low-risk OFCs in the nonresearch setting. METHODS: Data were obtained from 2008 to 2013 through a physician survey in 5 food allergy centers geographically distributed across the United States. Allergic reaction rates and the association of reaction rates with year, hospital, and demographics were determined using a linear mixed model. Meta-analysis was used to pool the proportion of reactions and anaphylaxis with inverse-variance weights using a random-effects model with exact confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 6,377 OFCs were performed, and the pooled estimate of anaphylaxis was 2% (95% CI, 1%-3%). The rate of allergic reactions was 14% (95% CI, 13%-16%) and was consistent during the study period (P = .40). Reaction rates ranged from 13% to 33%. Males reacted 16% more frequently than females (95% CI, 4%-37.5%; P = .04). Foods challenged in 2013 varied geographically, with peanut as the most challenged food in the Northeast, Midwest, and West and egg as the most challenged in the South. CONCLUSION: As the largest national survey of allergic reactions of clinical open OFCs in a nonresearch setting in the United States, this study found that performing clinical nonresearch open low-risk OFCs results in few allergic reactions, with 86% of challenges resulting in no reactions and 98% without anaphylaxis.

Extremity sarcoma surgery in younger children: ten years of patients ten years and under.

Sarcoma surgeons face unique challenges in younger patients with significant skeletal growth remaining. The heightened concerns regarding radiation in the very young and the drastic changes expected in the lengths and cross-sectional areas of bones affect the decision-making for both soft-tissue and bone sarcomas in this population. Nonetheless, there is sparse literature focused on sarcoma surgery in this age group. The records of one tertiary regional sarcoma treatment program were reviewed to identify all patients ten years old or younger at the time of local control surgery for limb or limb-girdle sarcomas. Demographic information, diagnosis, surgery performed, complications, and general outcomes were gleaned from the medical records. 43 patients were identified, including 15 with osteosarcomas, 11 Ewing's sarcoma family tumors, five rhabdomyosarcomas, and two synovial sarcomas, among others. Location of tumors varied widely, but demonstrated a predilection for the upper extremity more than is typical in adolescents with the same tumor types. Survival was favorable overall, with only five patients dying from disease. Most patients continued to function well at latest follow-up, but 16 experienced additional surgical interventions following the index procedure. Sarcoma surgery in the younger growing child presents challenges for the surgeon, patient, and parents, but is usually successful in the long-term.