Pediatria pre prax 3/2015

Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics in children

Penicillin and other beta-lactams are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotic groups. It is also a group with most frequently reported allergic reacions. The majority od patients are classified as penicillin allergic based on clinical evaluation only without further additional testing. False diagnosis of a penicillin allergy then leads to overuse of alternative, usually broad spectrum antibiotics with a high rate of associated side effects, thus increasing microbial resistence and treatment cost. Thorough evalution of a suspected beta--lactam allergy involves detailed patient history and examination, skin tests, laboratory tests and drug provocation tests. Suspected drug hypersensitivity can be safely excluded with detailed evaluation in a large number od cases. Where suspected beta-lactam allergy is confirmed, alternative antibiotic could be recommended.

Keywords: penicillin, betalactam antibiotics, drug hypersensitivity, drug allergy, anaphylaxis, skin tests, drug challenge.