Oral challenge to drugs in pediatrics – casuistry 2015

Introduction: Suspected drug allergy in the pediatric population is a frequent reason for consultation. However, it is rarely confirmed. Thus, the oral challenge (OC) assumes a significant role in the diagnostic approach. Objectives: Characterize a pediatric population of a level II hospital submitted to OC to drugs, assess which drugs where implicated and analyze the cases in which the OC was positive. Materials and methods: Clinical records of the patients submitted to OC to drugs in the period of January 1st to December 31st 2015, younger than 18 years. Results: The sample included 58 patients, 53.4% male. The median age was five years. Most were referred from the emergency room (39.7%) and the outpatient clinic (36.2%). Amoxicillin was the suspected drug in 46.6% and when associated with clavulanic acid in 34.5%. About 93.1% had mucocutaneous manifestations, 5.2% gastrointestinal and mucocutaneous and 1.7% respiratory and mucocutaneous. In 20.7% of the cases, symptoms occurred during the first 24 hours. In three patients the OC was positive and the responsible drug was amoxicillin in two cases and ibuprofen in one. Conclusions: Allergy to drugs is rare in children but, considering its relevance in the management of infectious situations, it becomes important to refer all suspected cases to clarify the diagnosis.