Chronic urticaria in children: epidemiology, diagnosis, and management

Yuliana C. Mera; Freddy A. Bravo; Nancy Toledo

doi:10.5281/zenodo.14602311

Authors

Yuliana C. Mera Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9865-4800
Freddy A. Bravo Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4150-1837
Nancy Toledo Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2140-9414

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14602311

Keywords:

chronic urticaria, children, diagnosis, treatment, quality of life

Abstract

Pediatric urticaria is a common skin disorder affecting 15-20% of children at some point in their lives, with prevalence and causes varying by geographic region. It primarily occurs in older children and is triggered by food allergies, medications, insect bites, viral infections, or other factors. In its chronic form, characterized by recurrent wheals and itching persisting for more than six weeks, it significantly impacts the quality of life of children and their families due to symptom recurrence and management challenges. While in countries like Spain and Germany, it ranks among the leading allergic diseases, data in Latin America is limited. In Ecuador, 57% of cases have an idiopathic etiology, and medications are the most frequent trigger, with an average age of 7.7 years for the first episode. This review analyzes the clinical and epidemiological evidence of chronic pediatric urticaria, focusing on its prevalence in Latin America, to guide early diagnosis strategies and effective management in pediatrics.

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