The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of acute and
late reactions after contrast-medium injection in the Finnish paediatr
ic population. From March 1989 to November 1990, 321 children under 19
years of age were examined with a nonionic contrast medium, iohexol,
for urography and CT. The follow-up time for late reactions was up to
24 h after the contrast-medium injection. The return rate for the ques
tionnaires given to patients to record their reactions was 73.2 %. Acu
te adverse reaction was noted in 1.9 % of the patients, with the most
frequent reactions being in the weight range 24-40 kg. Asthma and prev
ious reactions to contrast medium are risk factors for acute reaction.
Late reactions were found in 6.2 % of the patients, most frequently i
n children weighing under 24 kg.