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Exposures and Outcomes of Children With Urticaria Seen in a Pediatric Practice-Based Research Network
A Case-Control Study
Jennifer Plumb, MD, MPH;
Chuck Norlin, MD;
Paul C. Young, MD;
for the Utah Pediatric Practice Based Research Network
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155:1017-1021.
Objectives (1) To determine the duration, outcome, and associated findings of urticaria
in children seen by general pediatricians; (2) to compare the exposure to
foods, medications, insect stings or bites, and the presence of other symptoms
in children with urticaria with controls; (3) to determine general pediatricians'
management of urticaria.
Design Case-control.
Participants Children with urticaria seen by Utah Pediatric Practice Based Research
Network members between August 1, 1999, and August 31, 2000. Control patients
were matched for age and sex.
Main Outcome Measures Duration of urticaria; associated symptoms; personal and family history
of atopy; medications; ingestion of peanuts, nuts, shellfish, tomatoes, strawberries,
or eggs; being stung by an insect; suspected cause, diagnostic studies; treatment.
Results Fifty-two cases and 47 controls were enrolled. The mean duration of
urticaria was 8.9 days (range, 1-50 days). Seventeen patients (33%) and 1
control patient were taking antibiotics (odds ratio [OR], 22.3; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 2.8-176;  2, P<.001).
Fourteen patients and 5 controls had gastrointestinal symptoms (OR, 3.1; 95%
CI, 1.02-9.4; 2, P = .04). There
were no differences between cases and controls for other symptoms, personal
or family history of atopy, ingestion of the foods listed, insect sting, or
other medications. A cause was suspected in 28 patients (54%): a "viral illness"
(19%), antibiotics (15%), or a combination (35%).
Conclusions Patients were more likely than controls to be taking an antibiotic and
were more likely to have a personal or family history of atopy or to report
ingesting foods commonly associated with urticaria. A viral illness was the
most common cause suspected by pediatricians.
From the Departments of Pediatrics, University of Indiana School of
Medicine, Indianapolis (Dr Plumb); and the University of Utah School of Medicine,
Salt Lake City (Drs Norlin and Young).
Corresponding author: Paul C. Young, MD, Department of Pediatrics,
University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
84132 (e-mail: paul.young{at}hsc.utah.edu).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Prior Antibiotic Use Common in Children Who Develop Urticaria
Krowchuk
AAP Grand Rounds 2001;6:63-64.
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