Pediatr. praxi. 2015;16(1):33-36

Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics in children

MUDr.Jaromír Paukert¹, MUDr.Eliška Kopelentová², MUDr.Ludmila Dvořáková¹

¹ Dětské oddělení, Alergologická ambulance Oblastní nemocnice Kolín, a. s.

² Ústav imunologie, 2. LF UK a FN Motol v Praze

Penicillin and other beta-lactams are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotic groups. It is also a group with most frequently

reported allergic reacions. The majority od patients are classified as penicillin allergic based on clinical evaluation only without further

additional testing. False diagnosis of a penicillin allergy then leads to overuse of alternative, usually broad spectrum antibiotics with

a high rate of associated side effects, thus increasing microbial resistence and treatment cost. Thorough evalution of a suspected beta-

-lactam allergy involves detailed patient history and examination, skin tests, laboratory tests and drug provocation tests. Suspected

drug hypersensitivity can be safely excluded with detailed evaluation in a large number od cases. Where suspected beta-lactam allergy

is confirmed, alternative antibiotic could be recommended.

Keywords: penicillin, betalactam antibiotics, drug hypersensitivity, drug allergy, anaphylaxis, skin tests, drug challenge

Published: February 1, 2015  Show citation