Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a potentially lethal systemic allergic response with a variable etiologies and clinical manifestations. Although immediate diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis is critical, both patients and healthcare professionals frequently fail to recognize and diagnose the early clinical manifestations.

Although generally, the prevalence of anaphylaxis is estimated to be up to 2% and still increasing, the fatality rate is extremely low (i.e., < 0.0001% in the general population, or < 0.5% in those hospitalized or presenting to the emergency department) and appears to be decreasing. The incidence in children worldwide varied widely, ranging from 1 to 761 per 100 000 person-years for total anaphylaxis.

Even if the diagnosis is questionable, the immediate intramuscular infusion of epinephrine into the anterolateral thigh is first-line treatment. Long-term treatment consists of specialized assessment, avoidance measures, and the supply of an epinephrine auto-injector and an individualized anaphylaxis action plan.