Italian Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations on the Appropriateness of Prescriptions and Diagnostic Tests in Pediatric Allergology: Focus on Anaphylaxis, Drug Allergy and Hymenoptera Venom Allergy
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Evidence-based recommendations are vital in healthcare to standardize care, reduce variability, and improve patient outcomes. In children, anaphylaxis, allergy to antibiotics, and hymenoptera venom allergy are among the commonest reasons for allergological evaluation. This work was intended to optimize the prescriptions for allergological evaluation and for the related diagnostic tests with the aim of improving the management of children with allergic diseases and promoting resource efficiency. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic literature review of the literature was performed to formulate recommendations on the diagnostic management of children with anaphylaxis, drug allergy, and hymenoptera venom allergy. <b>Results:</b> Effective management of anaphylaxis involves rapid assessment and specialist follow-up to identify triggers, prevent recurrence, and ensure patients and caregivers are educated and equipped with an adrenaline auto-injector. Integrating skin testing, specific serological assays, and oral provocation tests into the diagnostic process for children with suspected beta-lactam allergy enhances diagnostic accuracy and minimizes unnecessary avoidance of first-line antibiotics. Children and adolescents with systemic reactions to hymenopteran stings should be referred to an allergy specialist for diagnosis, risk assessment, management education, and adrenaline prescription. <b>Conclusions:</b> These recommendations may enhance care quality, minimize inappropriate prescriptions, and support standardized methods of diagnosis of allergological diseases in children.
Authors
- Susanna Esposito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4103-2837)
- Roberta Carbone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7792-5613)
- Rachele Antignani
- Carlo Caffarelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7710-6995)
- Daniela Cunico
- I. Neri
- Matteo Riccò (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6525-2159)
- Valentina Fainardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4601-7484)
- Massimiliano Esposito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7880-3450)
- Diego Giampietro Peroni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0234-1373)
- Elena Chiappini
- Cristina Piersantelli
- Enrico Vito Buono
- Maria Marsella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0334-8785)
- Mauro Calvani
- Michele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Fabio Cardinale
- Maria Angela Tosca
- Giuseppe Pingitore
- Rita Nocerino
- Giuseppe Squazzini
- Maria Angiola Crivellaro
Institutions
- University of Pisa (IT)
- University of Parma (IT)
- University of Padua (IT)
- Università degli Studi di Enna Kore (IT)
- Società Italiana di Fisica (IT)
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini (IT)
- Azienda Sanitaria Unità Locale di Reggio Emilia (IT)
- Società Italiana di Cardiologia (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini (IT)
- Italian Society of Physiotherapy (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera S.Giuseppe Moscati (IT)
- Meyer Children's Hospital (IT)
- Azienda USL di Bologna (IT)
- Società Italiana di Nefrologia (IT)
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT)
- Società Italiana di Cardiologia Interventistica (IT)
- Società Italiana di Medicina Generale (IT)
- Ospedale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII (IT)
- Azienda Ospedale - Università Padova (IT)
- Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT)
- Carlo Forlanini Hospital (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-01-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020678
- Primary Topic
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00