MYTH: “Our son is only 2 years old, so if he has a severe reaction we will just drive him to the hospital because he is too young for epinephrine.”
FACT: A recent statement from the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) states: “The potential consequences of not administering epinephrine to a child with anaphylaxis outweigh the potential consequences of administering higher than recommended doses of epinephrine. Given the lack of suitable alternatives, the CSACI suggests that an epinephrine autoinjector of 0.15 mg be prescribed for children weighing less than 15 kg (including less than 10 kg).”
To read the whole statement please go to this site.
Bottom Line: There is no child that is too young for epinephrine or an Epipen. The benefits including potentially saving their life outweighs the risks.
Follow your Anaphylaxis Plan.
Note: Each month on our blog, we are featuring a common myth about food allergies, followed by the facts. Information for this month’s Fact was provided by Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, MD, MMath, FRCPC, an allergist at Kindercare Pediatrics Clinic in Toronto and at McMaster Childrens’ Hospital in Hamilton.
Tags: Epinephrine, infant, myths and facts