Risk Factors for Immediate-Type Local Anesthetic Hypersensitivity Reactions in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics (LA) are relatively safe and rarely cause immediate hypersensitivity reactions. The data on immediate LA hypersensitivity and its risk factors in children are limited. AIM: To evaluate risk factors of immediate LA hypersensitivity. METHODS: The retrospective case-controlled study included 17 patients with confirmed immediate LA hypersensitivity. For each patient, three age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in the study. LA hypersensitivity was excluded by skin tests and subcutaneous drug provocation tests in all control subjects. RESULTS: The most common allergic assessment in the patient/control group was for lidocaine (n=5; 29.4%, vs n=23; 45.1%). Suspected LA hypersensitivity reactions were found to be associated with cutaneous manifestations in 14 (82.4%) patients and in 7 (13.7%) of the controls. A history of exposure to local anesthetics twice or more was present in 11 (64.7%) patients vs 6 (11.8%) controls. In conditional regression analysis, repeated LA exposure (≥2) and cutaneous findings were determined as significant risk factors (Odds Ratio [OR]:5.7; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:1.2–27.1; P=0.029 and (OR:17.3; 95% CI:3.6–82.5; P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cutaneous manifestations and a history of LA exposure twice or more were predictive factors for LA allergy confirmed by skin test in children.