Omalizumab in children and adolescents with chronic spontaneous urticaria: Case series and review of the literature

Dermatol Ther. 2020 Jul;33(4):e13489. doi: 10.1111/dth.13489. Epub 2020 May 19.

Abstract

The recent EAACI/GA2 LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines recommend omalizumab (anti-IgE) for the management of patients aged ≥12 years with chronic urticaria unresponsive to high-doses second-generation H1 -antihistamines (antiH1 ). However, there is little published information on the success of omalizumab for such a treatment in children. We reported our experience of six patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) treated with omalizumab. Mean age of our case series was 14.7 years (range 11-16 years) with a prevalence of male gender (66.7%). All six patients were treated with at least one 6-months course of omalizumab. The average follow-up period was 13 ± 6 months. Only one patient was no responder to omalizumab therapy. Thus far, two patients have experienced a complete CSU regression over 12 months after the final omalizumab administration. The remaining three patients needed a second course of treatment. Our experience demonstrates that omalizumab is effective and safe as treatment option for CSU unresponsive to antiH1 , even in adolescent age.

Keywords: biologicals; children; chronic urticaria; omalizumab; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Anti-Allergic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Chronic Urticaria*
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Omalizumab / adverse effects
  • Urticaria* / diagnosis
  • Urticaria* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Omalizumab