Anaphylaxis in Schools and Other Child Care Settings

Abstract

AAAAI Board of DirectorsJ Allergy Clin Immunol.1021998173176This physician's statement is published to better identify the problem of anaphylaxis in schools and other child care settings with an emphasis on avoidance, treatment strategies, and making available emergency health care plans.Do not apply to this review.This critically important statement is an excellent guide for primary care providers to deal with anaphylaxis. The diagnosis of allergy with a risk of anaphylaxis is made based on the patient's history and confirmed with skin or blood tests performed by appropriately trained allergy specialists. It also identifies the fact that school personnel should develop a system of identifying children with life-threatening allergies to prevent anaphylactic reactions, and school personnel should be prepared to deal with these reactions. When prescribed, every student should also have an epinephrine auto injector device clearly labeled with his or her name and classroom number. School personnel should be instructed about the location of the medication and expiration dates should be checked carefully. This physician's statement makes comments about the avoidance of foods, especially dealing with the student who is going to eat from the cafeteria menu. The child's parents should inform the cafeteria staff in writing about foods to be avoided and suggest safe substitutions. All food service personnel should be instructed of the student's allergies. The physician's statement also deals with treatment strategies. Treatment protocols need to be prescribed by a physician. School staff should have written instructions. Epinephrine should be the first drug that should be used in the emergency management. All individuals receiving emergency epinephrine should be immediately transported to a hospital even if symptoms appear to have resolved. Additional epinephrine should be available during transport if necessary. All individuals entrusted with the care of children need to have familiarity with basic first aid and resuscitative techniques. The physician's statement also nicely defines the common symptoms and signs of an allergic reaction, and has an excellent emergency health care plan sample which includes a form that could be readily used by schools and other facilities taking care of children who may have the potential for anaphylaxis.Although not a research paper, this article was included because of its great relevance to pediatricians.