Post-anaphylaxis acute stress symptoms: A preliminary study on children with food-induced anaphylaxis and their parents

Sample characteristics are shown in Table I. Results revealed that 61% of anaphylaxis occurred after an unintentional ingestion at home, restaurant, or school, whereas 6% occurred at home during oral immunotherapy and 33% during an oral food challenge in the hospital; 58% was mild and 42% was moderate anaphylaxis, whereas no severe anaphylaxis was reported. [...]mean scores and standard deviation were calculated for CSDC, PEDS, and ASDS scores (Table II). Age inversely correlated with the fearful dimension of PEDS (r = −0.384; P < .01), acting-out (r = −0.377; P < .01), and PEDS total score (r = −0.398; P < .01). Because symptom presentation may vary based on patient gender and age, clinicians need to be knowledgeable in identifying potential signals of ASD. A multidisciplinary team that includes allergists/immunologists, pediatricians, and mental health professionals is advisable.Online Repository Children who experienced anaphylaxis (N = 31) Age (y) Min 3 Mean (SD): 8.77 (4.137) Max 13 Gender (n) Female 12 Male 19 Accidental exposure (n) Yes 19 No 12 Place (n) Home (or other) 21 Hospital 10 Anaphylaxis severity∗ (n) Mild 18 Moderate 13 Severe 0 Table I Participants' characteristics Children's scores Child Stress Disorders Checklist (CSDC) Response format: 0 = Not true, 1 = Somewhat or sometimes true, 2 = Very true or often true CSDC Subscales Mean SD Immediate response (5 items on children's feelings or behaviors immediately after a frightening event: eg, child felt terrified) 3.68 2.713 Re-experiencing (7 items, eg, child reports uncomfortable memories of the event) 1.81 2.104 Avoidance (5 items, eg, child avoids doing things that remind him or her of the event) 1.68 2.315 Numbing, dissociation (8 items, eg, child seems “spaced out” or in a daze) 1.55 2.321 Increased arousal (6 items, eg, child startles easily; eg, he or she jumps when hears sudden or loud noises) 2.87 2.277 Impairment in functioning (4 items, eg, child has difficulty getting along with friends, schoolmates, or teachers) 0.74 1.210 CSDC-TOT (30 items—Immediate Response Scale is not included) (Questionnaire range score: 0-60) 8.65 7.405 Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale (PEDS) Response format: 1 = Almost Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Often; 4 = Very Often PEDS Subscales Mean SD Anxious/withdrawn (6 items, eg, seems sad and withdrawn) 9.84 2.945 Fearful (5 items, eg, clings to adults/doesn't want to be alone) 7.10 2.948 Acting-out (6 items, eg, has temper tantrums) 10.74 4.809 Talk-play (4 i