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Anaphylaxis due to suxamethonium in a 7‐year‐old child: a 14‐year follow‐up with allergy testing
Author(s) -
ASSEM E. S. K.,
SYMONS I. E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1989.tb11159.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anaphylaxis , histamine , allergy , anesthesia , neuromuscular blocking agents , immunoglobulin e , neuromuscular transmission , antibody , immunology
Summary In 1973 a 7‐year‐old girl had anaphylactic reactions after two general anaesthetics. In‐vitro testing with the leucocyte challenge histamine release test showed a strong response to suxamethonium, and other tests indirectly suggested an allergic mechanism. The conclusion was that this was an allergy to suxamethonium. Further blood was sent for testing against a range of neuromuscular blockers, but the patient was‘lost’ until she re‐appeared 14 years later as an antenatal patient. In‐vitro testing was repeated against suxamethonium and all the available neuromuscular blockers after delivery. The radio‐allergosorbent test for allergen‐specific IgE antibodies was performed on newly collected serum and that which had been stored for 13‐14 years. Skin testing was also performed. The results remain positive and suggest a degree of allergy to all the neuromuscular blockers with the possible exception of vecuronium. The radio‐allergosorbent test was negative in the patient's baby.