The Causes of Anaphylaxis and Clinical Factors Associated with Severe Symptoms in Pediatric at Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the causes of anaphylaxis and clinical factors associated with severe symptoms in pediatric patients treated at Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital, Kanchanaburi Province.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatric patients under 16 years of age diagnosed with anaphylaxis between January 2018 and December 2023. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, causes, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Symptom severity was assessed using the CoFAR grading system. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with severe symptoms.

Results: A total of 136 patients were included, with most cases occurring in the 5–15-year age group. The most common causes were food (56.7%), such as seafood and cow's milk, followed by insect stings (19.1%) and unknown triggers (16.2%). Common presenting symptoms included cutaneous symptoms (96.3%), respiratory symptoms (76.5%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (37.5%). Adrenaline was administered to 127 patients (93.4%) within 10 minutes of hospital arrival. The factors potentially associated with symptom severity were male gender, underlying medical conditions, respiratory symptoms, and a high percentage of blood eosinophils, but these were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Food was the leading cause of anaphylaxis in pediatric patients, particularly among those aged 5–15 years. Respiratory symptoms and underlying comorbidities may be linked to increased symptom severity. Timely treatment, particularly the administration of adrenaline, plays a crucial role in reducing symptom severity and preventing complications.