A multicenter study on anaphylaxis caused by peanut, tree nuts, and seeds in children and adolescents.

Peanut ( PN) and tree nuts ( TNs) are common causes of anaphylaxis in Western countries, but no information is available in Korea. To feature clinical characteristics of anaphylaxis caused by PN, TNs, and seeds, a retrospective medical record review was performed in 14 university hospitals in Korea (2009-2013). One hundred and twenty-six cases were identified, with the mean age of 4.9 years. PN, walnut ( WN), and pine nut accounted for 32.5%, 41.3%, and 7.1%, respectively. The median values of specific IgE ( sIgE) to PN, WN, and pine nut were 10.50, 8.74, and 4.61 kU_A/l, respectively. Among 50 cases managed in the emergency department, 52.0% were treated with epinephrine, 66.0% with steroid, 94.0% with antihistamines, 36.0% with oxygen, and 48.0% with bronchodilator. In conclusion, WN, PN, and pine nut were the three most common triggers of anaphylaxis in Korean children, and anaphylaxis could occur at remarkably low levels of sIgE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]