UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: When the Sting REALLY hurts!!

Category: Pediatrics

Keywords: Pediatric Anaphylaxis (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/5/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO (Updated: 11/22/2024)
Click here to contact Don Van Wie, DO

When the Sting REALLY hurts!!

Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially life-threatening problem, with multisystemic manifestations.(Remember 2 or more organ systems are required by definition!)
In Children, foods (Milk, Eggs, Wheat, and Soy (MEWS) are the most common allergens
But...peanuts and fish are among the most potent!!
Also children can develop anaphylaxis from the fumes of cooking fish or residual peanut in a candy bar.
Other common causes are preservatives, medications (antibiotics), insect venom (bee stings!!!!!!)

Remember the dose of Epinephrine is :

0.01 mg/kg or 0.01 mL/kg of 1:1,000 IM or

0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mL/kg/dose 1:10,000 IV

to the adult dose or 0.3 mg

Also

Epipen Jr = 0.15 mg (use for < 30 Kg)

Epipen = 0.3 mg (use for > 30 Kg)

To show patients an instructional video click on the referenced link.