Exposures and outcomes of children with urticaria seen in a pediatric practice-based research network - A case-control study

Objectives: (1) To determine the duration, outcome, and associated findings of urticaria in children seen by general pediatricians; (2) to compare the exposure to foods, medications, insect stings or bites, and the presence o f other symptoms in children with urticaria with controls; (3) to determine general pediatricians' management of urticaria. Design: Case-control. Participants: Children with urticaria seen by Utah Pediatric Practice Based Research Network members between August 1, 1999, and August 31, 2000. Cont rol patients were matched for age and sex. Main Outcome Measures: Duration of urticaria; associated symptoms; personal and family history of atopy; medications; ingestion of peanuts, nuts, shel lfish, tomatoes, strawberries, or eggs; being stung by an insect; suspected cause, diagnostic studies; treatment. Results: Fifty-two cases and 47 controls were enrolled. The mean duration o f urticaria was 8.9 days (range, 1-50 days). Seventeen patients (33%) and 1 control patient were taking antibiotics (odds ratio [OR], 22.3; 95% confid ence interval [CI], 2.8-176; chi (2), P<.001). Fourteen patients and 5 cont rols had gastrointestinal symptoms (OR, 3.1; 95% Cl, 1.02-9.4; <chi>(2), P = .04). There were no differences between cases and controls for other symp toms, personal or family history of atopy, ingestion of the foods listed, i nsect sting, or other medications. A cause was suspected in 28 patients (54 %): a "viral illness" (19%), antibiotics (15%), or a combination (35%). Conclusions: Patients were more likely than controls to be taking an antibi otic and were more likely to have a personal or family history of atopy or to report ingesting foods commonly associated with urticaria. A viral illne ss was the most common cause suspected by pediatricians.