Hereditary Angioedema: Moving Therapy into the Home and to Self-Care

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a condition that results in recurrent and often unpredictable attacks of angioedema, which is associated with significant morbidity and can be fatal. The majority of literature related to management of HAE has focused on the adult patient. There is limited information on treatment and management strategies for the pediatric HAE population. Comprehensive care has been repeatedly recommended in international guidelines for the optimal management of HAE. Home therapy is a critical pillar of such a comprehensive care plan. Hemophilia is similar to HAE in that it is a serious rare blood disorder for which comprehensive care is considered essential. There is a paucity of literature on home therapy as it relates to the pediatric HAE patient population. This review outlines the rationale for home therapy in the management of pediatric HAE by drawing on the experience in pediatric hemophilia and placing it in the specific context of HAE management principles.