DRUG ALLERGY Immediate Allergic Reactions to Cephalosporins and Penicillins and Their Cross-Reactivity in Children

RESULTS. A total of 181 schoolchildren (0.83%) in the 3 districts were dispensed injectable epinephrine during the school year studied. Diagnoses listed for the prescription of epinephrine included peanut/tree nut allergy (65%), stinging-insect allergy (19%), seafood allergy (6%), and egg or dairy allergy (3%). A miscellaneous group (7%) included diagnoses for latex, chocolate, pollen, fruit, cold air, and ibuprofen allergy. Males were more likely to be dispensed epinephrine than females (odds ratio [OR]: 1.44; P .02). White students were nearly 5 times more likely to have been dispensed epinephrine for peanut and tree nut allergy (OR: 4.5; P .001) and almost 9 times more likely for stinging-insect allergy (OR: 8.7; P .001). Seventy-five percent of students dispensed epinephrine for peanut or tree nut allergy were enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 5.