European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Acute urticaria (AU) is a common manifestation with the relatively infrequent occurrence of chronic urticaria (CU) in childhood. Pediatric urticaria has specific features and remains poorly understood. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted in 100 patients below the age of 18 years with diagnosis of urticaria from 2014 to 2016. Patients were evaluated taking a detailed history, examination, and basic laboratory investigations. Results: Out of hundred children, males were 56 and females 44. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Youngest was 7 months male, oldest was 17 years male child and mean age was 7.1 years. Out of 100 cases, 89% presented with acute urticaria and 11% were chronic urticaria. In acute urticaria an underlying cause was present in 59.55 % (53) whereas 40.44 % (36) were idiopathic. Infection was the most common factor (75.47%). Family history was present in five cases. 71% patients presented with first episode whereas 29% gave a history of recurrence. All children were treated with non-sedative antihistamines along with avoiding underlying triggering factors. Conclusion: Acute urticaria is a common manifestation seen in our study. Triggering factors in urticaria were dominated by infections followed idiopathic in our study. 16.85% of acute urticaria evolved into recurrent disease and progressed into chronic form due to incomplete treatment and follow-up were observed in our study.