The anaphylaxis problem in children: community management in a UK National Health Service District

From an analysis of a database of children who have been prescribed injectable adrenaline we describe our experience of the management of children with severe anaphylactic reactions to food products for the period from March 1994 to August 1999. Notifications to our department increased from 7 in the 1981-83 birth cohort to 48 in the 1990-92 birth cohort. One hundred and forty-four children living in our health disitrict have been prescribed injectable adrenaline for emergency use. A standard protocol agreed with the Local Education Authority to support these pupils in school and to work to provide a safe environment has been in place since April 1995. Almost half the schools in the area covered by our health district have at least one affected child. Community child health staff have played a pivotal role in providing liaison between health and education professionals.