Hymenoptera venom allergy among children in Italy: time for pediatricians to take action

M Giovannini; R Castagnoli; F Mori; S Arasi; S Barni; F Saretta; C Mastrorilli; L Pecoraro; L Liotti; L Caminiti; G L Marseglia; E Novembre; from the Rare Allergic Diseases Commission of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

doi:10.1016/j.aller.2020.04.003

Hymenoptera venom allergy among children in Italy: time for pediatricians to take action

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2020 Nov-Dec;48(6):804-809. doi: 10.1016/j.aller.2020.04.003. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Affiliations

¹ Allergy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
² Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: riccardo.castagnoli01@universitadipavia.it.
³ Pediatric Allergology Unit, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.
⁴ Pediatric Department, Latisana-Palmanova Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Italy.
⁵ Pediatric Unit and Emergency, University Hospital Consortium Corporation Polyclinic of Bari, Pediatric Hospital Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
⁶ Pediatric Unit, ASST Mantua, Mantua, Italy; Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona, Italy.
⁷ Pediatric Unit, Senigallia Hospital, Senigallia, Italy.
⁸ Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Development Age "Gaetano Barresi", Allergy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, AOU Policlinico Gaetano Martino, Messina, Italy.
⁹ Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

PMID: 32653226
DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2020.04.003

Abstract

Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis following a bee, vespid or ant sting. Real-life data regarding the management of HVA in children are lacking. To address this unmet need, we carried out a survey defining the current management of HVA in children among pediatric allergists in Italy. Educational investments on the improvement of the management of pediatric patients with HVA are urgently needed, and our analysis represents a relevant instrument in targeting a roadmap with this aim. The time for pediatric allergists to take action has come, and a task force from the Rare Allergic Diseases Commission of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology is working on the topic to improve pediatricians' knowledge and optimize the care of these patients.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Hymenoptera venom allergy; Pediatrics; Survey; Venom immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

Allergens / administration & dosage
Allergens / adverse effects*
Allergens / immunology
Allergists / standards
Allergists / statistics & numerical data
Allergy and Immunology / standards
Anaphylaxis / diagnosis
Anaphylaxis / immunology
Anaphylaxis / therapy*
Animals
Arthropod Venoms / administration & dosage
Arthropod Venoms / adverse effects*
Arthropod Venoms / immunology
Child
Clinical Competence / standards
Clinical Competence / statistics & numerical data
Desensitization, Immunologic / methods
Desensitization, Immunologic / standards
Desensitization, Immunologic / statistics & numerical data*
Health Services Needs and Demand / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Hymenoptera / immunology
Insect Bites and Stings / complications*
Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
Insect Bites and Stings / therapy
Italy
Pediatricians / standards
Pediatricians / statistics & numerical data
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Practice Patterns, Physicians' / standards
Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires / statistics & numerical data

Substances

Allergens
Arthropod Venoms