🇬🇧 Why do young people die from anaphylaxis?

Abstract

Anaphylaxis is a serious systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is usually rapid in onset and may cause death. Anaphylaxis is not uncommon, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 1:1000. At least 80% of anaphylaxis reactions resolve without treatment, however, fatal cases do occur, with an incidence of around 1:250,000. Fatality rates are lowest in infants, increasing in adolescence and remaining high throughout early-mid adulthood. Why young people are most at risk of severe reactions is unclear. Arguably, the biggest gap in managing patients at risk of anaphylaxis is our inability to predict who is at risk of severe reactions.

Understanding the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis can inform the optimal treatment for anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock, and may help elucidate risk factors for severe reactions. In this lecture, Dr Turner will review current knowledge, and explain how recent data are informing guidelines and clinical practice to reduce the impact of anaphylaxis on affected individuals and their families.