Diagnostic confirmation of amoxicillin allergy in children treated at the Division of Pediatric Allergy

Abstract

Amoxicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic commonly indicated in pediatrics and the most frequent cause of drug allergies. Objectives. To determine the proportion of confirmed amoxicillin allergy in children with diagnostic suspicion seen at the Division of Pediatric Allergy. Population and methods. This descriptive, retrospective study was done between January 2009 and January 2017 in children younger than 18 years with diagnostic suspicion of amoxicillin allergy. The diagnosis was based on questions and specifictests. Results. A total of 234 patients were included; amoxicillin allergy was diagnosed in 10.7 % (95 % confidence interval: 7-15). These patients had a higher prevalence of immediate symptoms (40 % vs. 22 %, p = 0.048) and prior exposure to beta-lactams (84 % vs. 56 %, p = 0.007). Conclusion. Amoxicillin allergy in children referred to specialists was confirmed in 10.7 %.