Emergency treatment of food anaphylaxis: a report of 152 cases registered by the Allergy Vigilance Network

Results 78 paediatric and 74 adult cases were reported. Two deaths occurred. Personnel and emergency centres involved in the management were known in 147 cases, and treatment in 136 cases. First-aid was provided at home by patients themselves on 43 occasions or by the family physician 12 times. 49 called for an ambulance. 89 required hospitalisation in an Emergency Department. Epinephrine auto-injectors were used by 4 patients only. Medicalized ambulances treated 23 patients, and used epinephrine in 11/23 cases. Emergency departments treated 58 patients and used epinephrine in 19 cases. When epinephrine had been injected before arriving at the ED, no further injection in hospital was necessary. In total, epinephrine was given to 37 patients (27.2%). The observation period was much shorter than recommended in the Directives. Patients were discharged without care summaries. Allergists implemented school management plans for all children. 68 to 80% of patients were prescribed self-injectable epinephrine.