Clinical features of anaphylaxis according to age in a single university hospital in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of anaphylaxis is increasing steadily, but there is scant information about anaphylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of anaphylaxis and evaluate the cause and features of anaphylaxis according to age.

METHOD: The relevance of gender, age, history of allergic diseases, causes and clinical symptoms in the treatment and prognosis of anaphylaxis were retrospectively evaluated in patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis in Pusan National University Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014.

RESULTS: The 161 patients included 30 children and 131 adults. The prevalence of anaphylaxis in both children and adults increased during the study period. The most common triggers were food in children, especially in those <5 years of age, and drugs in adults. All of the children with episodes of anaphylaxis presented with cutaneous symptoms and 90% had respiratory symptoms. For adults, cardiovascular symptoms were more common.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anaphylaxis increased in both children and adults, with a higher rate in children. The causes and symptoms of anaphylaxis may differ depending on age. Clinicians should understand the characteristics of anaphylaxis by age.