Children With Food-Related Anaphylaxis Need Access to 2 Epinephrine Injections

Keeping 2 doses of epinephrine on hand is recommended for children with life-threatening food allergies, according to a study published online March 22 in Pediatrics. Approximately 3 million children in the United States have food allergies, and that number is growing. Food allergies are the chief cause of anaphylaxis, a sometimes-fatal allergic response, which progresses quickly to constrict the airway, irritate the skin and intestines, and/or affect heart rhythm. The prevalence of food allergies in developed countries is currently nearly 6% and appears to be increasing. Recent studies also suggest a dramatic increase in the incidence of anaphylaxis, with food allergy shown to be the leading cause of anaphylaxis in children.Current practice guidelines recommend that all patients suspected of having an episode of food-related anaphylaxis be referred to an allergist, counseled to avoid the suspected food trigger, and prescribed self-injectable epinephrine. Prompt administration of epinephrine is the primary treatment of food-related anaphylaxis. It is recommended that children with a history of food-related anaphylaxis carry multiple doses of self-injectable epinephrine, although evidence supporting this practice is limited .. read more.