Current allergen SCIT practices linked to higher rate of systemic reactions in children

LOS ANGELES — A higher rate of systemic reactions in pediatric patients is associated with subcutaneous immunotherapy, according to recent study data presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting.

“Subcutaneous immunotherapy is the most common way that allergists in the U.S. help patients with allergies experience long-term relief from their symptoms,” researcher Punita Ponda, MD, of the division of allergy and immunology at the Hofstra-North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, told Healio.com/Allergy. “It has been practiced for over a century and given in the same way, with similar doses, to children and adults.”

Punita Ponda

In a retrospective chart review, Ponda and colleagues examined 120 pediatric and 150 adult patients, recording the number of systemic reactions to SCIT. The researchers observed variables of interest through a generalized linear mixed model. To determine the incidence rate (crude), administrators evaluated the number of reactions relative to total injections administered.

“Our study looked at the differences in the chance of allergic reactions when allergy shots are given to adults versus kids,” Ponda told Healio.com/Allergy.

Results showed that in the pediatric group, there was a significantly higher proportion of males (63% vs. 40%) and patients with asthma (62.5% vs. 46%) than the adult group. Asthma classification between age groups showed no difference (intermittent, 29.33% vs. 39.13%; persistent, 70.67% vs. 60.87%).

One hundred thirty-two reactions were reported: 75 in the pediatric group and 57 in the adult group. These reactions were more likely to occur in the spring and autumn (35 each) than in the summer and winter (31 each). For any systemic reaction, the crude incidence rate was 0.2%.

“We found that children may be more likely to have grade 1 and 2 reactions to shots although the rate of more severe reactions was not significantly different in children compared with adults,” Ponda said. “Thus, we recommend that more studies need to be done to determine the optimal doses for children.” — by Alaina Tedesco

Reference: Ponda P, et al. Abstract 206. Presented at: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting; March 4-7, 2016; Los Angeles.

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.