Safety of subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy in children: A retrospective review and bird eye to literature


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Toprak-Kanik E., YILMAZ Ö., Yangin-Ergon E., TÜRKELİ A., YÜKSEL H.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, vol.60, no.6, pp.684-690, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 60 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.06.009
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.684-690
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) has been shown to improve clinical course in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). Systemic and local side-effects may be seen during its administration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with systemic and local side-effects in children receiving SCIT. We performed a retrospective chart review in the children who received allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy for asthma and/or allergen rhinitis. Demographic data, diagnosis, skin prick test results, presence of additional allergic diseases, the seasonal variation of adverse events in the first and third years of SCIT were recorded. A total of 508 eligible patients were included in the study. Mean age of the children was 10.9 +/- 3.2 years, and 65.4% were male. Asthma was present in 21.9% of the children, AR in 44.7%, 33.5% of them had both asthma and AR. According to the skin prick test results, sensitivity to more than one allergen was present in 45.1%, while the most common single-allergen sensitivities were to grass pollen and dermatophagoids (32.5% and 14.4%, respectively). Ratio of systemic and local side-effects was 4.7% and 9.3%, respectively. Local side-effects were more common than systemic reaction. SCIT is a safe treatment modality while using the appropriate dose and with the administration of dose-escalation protocol.