Betalactam hypersensitivity in children: frequency and risk factors.

AIMS to determine the frequency of an authentic betalactam hypersensitivity (BL-HS) amongst a large number of children and to identify clinical risk factors that predict this hypersensitivity. METHODS All children with suspected BL allergy were evaluated by skin tests (ST) with the suspected BL. A 1-day oral provocation test (OPT) was performed in children with negative ST. We defined an authentic BL-HS case if the child exhibited a positive ST or a positive OPT. Risk factors associated with BL-HS were assessed using an univariate analysis. Covariates showing a p-value 5 years) at the reaction (OR=1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; p=0.02) and BL administered (OR=7.7; 95% CI, 2.76-21.8; p<0.001) were significantly associated with authentic BL-HS. CONCLUSION BL-HS should be evaluated with an appropriate allergy work-up before strict prohibition is made. In addition, age of patient and BL involved can be used as predictive factors of developing BL-HS in this population.