Hi, this is Tom, and in this episode I'm going to be going through anaphylaxis, and you can find

notes at zero to finals.com and in the zero to finals pediatrics book, and you can find flashcards and

questions at members.0 to finals.com. So let's jump straight in.

Anaphylaxis involves a severe, systemic hypersensitivity reaction involving rapid onset

symptoms with airway, breathing or circulation compromise. It's a life-threatening medical emergency.

During an anaphylactic reaction, immunoglobulin E, or IGE,

stimulates mast cells to rapidly release histamine and other pro-inflammatory cytokines,

and this is called mast cell degranulation.

Let's talk about the presentation.

Patients will present with a history of exposure to an allergen, although anaphylaxis can be

idiopathic without having a clear cause.

There will be a rapid onset of allergic symptoms,

with skin symptoms like itching, urticaria and angiadema,

respiratory symptoms, for example, cough, wheeze, breathlessness,

a hoarse voice and stridore, gastrointestinal symptoms, for example,

nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and systemic symptoms, for example tachycardia, hypotension, collapse and

confusion. The key features that distinguish anaphylaxis from other allergic reactions

are airway, breathing or circulatory problems, for example stridor, wheeze or hypotension.

Skin changes alone do not indicate anaphylaxis.

Next let's talk about the principles of management.

Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention and management.

Experience clinicians should be involved early, so get help if you're managing anaphylaxis.

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