Prepare for kids’ alleric reactions

Food allergies are on the rise, and Illinois kids need to be protected. For reasons not fully understood by the medical community, food allergies have become more prevalent in recent years, especially in children. One in 13 children now suffers from some type of food allergy, and nearly 40 percent suffer from allergies that are severe to life-threatening. These allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can result in death.

The tragic case of Katelyn Carlson, the Chicago student who lost her life to a severe anaphylactic reaction in 2010, was a powerful wake-up call for parents, teachers and health care providers across Illinois. The day she died, Katelyn was not carrying the life-saving medication epinephrine. Partly in response to Katelyn’s death, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation in August 2011 that allows schools to maintain a supply of emergency epinephrine auto-injectors (commonly known as EpiPens) for students who have forgotten their prescription at home or do not have a known allergy. This is a huge step forward.

However, some physicians and nurses believe that they will be held liable should a child have an adverse reaction to the epinephrine they prescribe and administer — a belief that is entirely unfounded. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan even issued a statement to emphasize that under the new law, a physician who provides a standing protocol or prescribes a supply of emergency epinephrine to a school is to incur no liability.

ICAAP calls on the entire medical community in Illinois, including our 2,000 members and their colleagues, as well as school officials and parents across the state to learn more about this legislation, and to protect our children and begin stocking life-saving epinephrine in Illinois schools. Let’s not wait until it’s too late.

Dennis L. Vickers, MD

President, Illinois Chapter

American Academy of Pediatrics