Evaluation of Clinical Properties and Diagnostic Test Results of Cephalosporin Allergy in Children

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Beta-lactams (BLs) are one of the most frequent causes of drug hypersensitivity reactions (HRs), and cephalosporins are a widely used subclass of BLs, especially in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and diagnostic test results of pediatric patients evaluated for suspected cephalosporin allergy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study included patients who presented to our pediatric allergy clinic with a history of reactions attributed to cephalosporins between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019, and whose diagnostic tests were completed for the diagnosis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> This study included 120 pediatric patients and 69 (57.5%) of them were girls. The median age was 38.63 (interquartile range 10.5–85.7) months. Reactions occurring within 1 h of drug intake were reported in 33 patients (27.5%). Reactions were maculopapular rash in 55 (45.8%) patients, urticaria and/or angioedema in 49 (40.8%), anaphylaxis in 11 (9.2%), severe cutaneous drug reaction in 4 (3.3%), and fixed drug reaction in 1 patient (0.83%). The most frequently suspected agent was cefixime in 41 patients (34.2%). In total, 30 (25%) patients were diagnosed as having cephalosporin hypersensitivity. Confirmation of HRs was also significantly more frequent among patients who were older (<i>p</i>: 0.000), who had taken the drug parenterally (<i>p</i>: 0.000) and with immediate reactions (<i>p</i>: 0.000). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Cephalosporin allergy has been confirmed in approximately one-fourth of the patients evaluated for suspected cephalosporin allergy. Confirmation of HRs was significantly more common among patients who were older, had immediate reactions, and had taken the drug parenterally.