Urticaria is commonly seen in preschool aged children and infections are the most common known factors that cause acute urticaria in children.

The present prospective study was aimed to examine the underlying factors of acute urticaria in children under five and to describe prognostic factors for progression to chronicity or relapse after the first attack. Children under five years of age with acute urticaria were enroled between July 2015 and July 2016. Eighty three patients were assembled into below and above two years of age groups. Logistic regression analysis was also performed to evaluate the risk factors for progression to chronicity or recurrence.

The results of the study revealed that upper respiratory tract infection was the most common evident reason for acute urticaria (49.4%). In the cases with the appearance of an acute single-episode urticaria, herpes simplex virus type 1 was significantly isolated. Angioedema and food allergy were mostly observed in those under two years of age (p=0.001, p=0.006 respectively).

A positive correlation was observed between the duration of urticaria and chronicity (r=0.301, p=0.006). The absence of atopic dermatitis, negative herpes virus serology and unknown etiology were the independent risk factors observed for recurrent urticaria.

The study concluded that preschool-aged children with acute urticaria should be assessed for infections during the time of admission. Patients with unknown etiology, absence of atopic dermatitis, negative herpes virus serology, and prolonged urticaria should be followed up for chronicity and relapse.

Source: Cetinkaya PG, Soyer O, Esenboga S, Sahiner UM, Teksam O, Sekerel BE. Predictive factors for progression to chronicity or recurrence after the first attack of acute urticaria in preschool-age children. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2019; 47(5):484-490. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2018.12.010