The role of glucocorticoids in the treatment of acute anaphylactic reaction
Agnieszka Rustecka, Maria Węgrzynek, Agata Tomaszewska, Bolesław Kalicki
Food allergy is a growing health problem, which is particularly common among the youngest children. Anaphylaxis, which is defined as a sudden-onset and potentially fatal response to an allergen, is an indication for urgent treatment. Although intramuscular epinephrine is the treatment of choice, all therapeutic algorithms also recommend glucocorticoids. They play an important role in reducing the risk of late allergic reaction, and, due to their non-genomic effects, are also increasingly often mentioned in the context of early response to shock. This effect is directly proportional to the dose of the drug, and a reduced duration of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock is achieved with the use of high doses of glucocorticoids. The paper presents a case of a 3-month-old girl with an anaphylactic reaction after consuming a modified milk preparation. After systemic administration of glucocorticoids, a satisfactory therapeutic effect was observed in the child.