Research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has highlighted the need for children with a suspected antibiotic allergy to be fully assessed by drug allergy services. ECU PhD student Ms. Annabelle Arnold noted that in children, a label of antibiotic allergy is commonly acquired during an illness, when underlying symptoms from the illness could present as an allergy to antibiotics.
These symptoms could include anything from mild rashes and some itching, through to hives and ultimately, anaphylaxis . We know that around 90% of suspected antibiotic allergies are inaccurate. Children who present with these milder symptoms are often actually experiencing symptoms of the infection that they are being treated for, and this is often misconstrued as an allergic reaction.
" Ms. Annabelle Arnold, ECU PhD student She noted that a misdiagnosis of antibiotic allergy could result in the unnecessary avoidance of key antibiotics, delayed treatment for children suffering from illness, and longer hospital stays. This line of treatment could continue into adulthood, putting a strain on both the patient and the medical system.
"An antibiotic allergy label has a significant impact on the clinical care of children that come into hospital, and this is exacerbated when the child comes in under the microbial stewardship program of the hospital, where appropriate antimicrobial management is paramount, and where we have evidenced increased alternative prescribing and longer hospital stays for children with .