The Value of Immunotherapy with Venom in Children with Allergy to Insect Stings

Abstract

These data confirm that immunotherapy with insect venom prevents recurrences of systemic reactions after subsequent insect stings. Because of the surprisingly low rate of reactions among untreated children, we could not identify any characteristics that were predictive of repeat reactions. Since only 9.2 percent of stings in the untreated children led to a systemic reaction and since there was no progression to a more severe reaction, we conclude that venom immunotherapy is unnecessary for most children who are allergic to insect stings.

Specific immunotherapy using Hymenoptera venom: systematic review

“…In the third selected study, Valentine et al 9 performed a trial similar to the previous one, among children who presented reactions restricted 7 Schuberth et al 8 Valentine et al 9 Brown et al 10 …”

“…As mentioned earlier, the study by Schuberth et al 8 (1983) showed an OR for systemic reactions after accidental stings of 0.35 (0.05 < OR < 2.56), while the study by Valentine et al 9 showed a calculated OR of 0.16 (0.02 < OR < 1.21). After meta-analysis on these two studies, the OR became 0.29 (0.10 < OR < 0.87) ( Table 3).…”

“…The methodologies, participants, interventions and results of the studies included are listed in Table 1. [7][8][9][10] Overall, 306 participants were involved in the four selected studies. The participants' ages ranged from two to 65 years.…”

“…The analysis presented as Figure 1 shows that after performing the meta-analysis on the two studies, the combined odds ratio calculated using Peto's random method for systemic reactions after immunotherapy 8,9 Ratio of treatment to control systemic reaction Schubert et al 8 Valentine et al Figure 1. Meta-analysis on two studies 8,9 comparing Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy versus follow-up alone (no treatment), among patients (children) who had only presented skin reactions to the first sting.…”

“…Meta-analysis on two studies 8,9 comparing Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy versus follow-up alone (no treatment), among patients (children) who had only presented skin reactions to the first sting. Presentation of the results from systemic reactions after ending the treatment, according to odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (Peto's method).…”