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August 28, 2024 – Seoul, South Korea
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has raised concerns about the safety of first-generation antihistamines in young children, revealing a significant association between these medications and an increased risk of seizures. The research, led by Dr. Ju Hee Kim from Kyung Hee University Medical Center, scrutinizes data from the National Health Insurance Service database in Korea, focusing on children born between 2002 and 2005 who experienced seizure events up to 2019.
The study evaluated the prescription records of 11,729 children who had seizure events and compared the timing of these prescriptions to their seizure occurrences. The researchers categorized the prescription periods into hazard (one to 15 days before a seizure) and control periods (31 to 45 days and 61 to 75 days before a seizure) to assess the risk associated with first-generation antihistamines.
Results indicated that children who were prescribed first-generation antihistamines during the hazard period had a 22% increased risk of experiencing seizures, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.22. The risk was notably higher in younger children, with those aged 6 to 24 months having a 49% increased risk (aOR of 1.49), compared to those aged 25 months to 6 years, who had a 11% increased risk (aOR of 1.11).
The findings underscore the necessity for cautious prescribing practices for first-generation antihistamines in young children. Dr. Kim and colleagues emphasize the importance of further research to better understand the relationship between these medications and seizure risk.
The study’s implications call for heightened vigilance among healthcare providers when considering antihistamine use in pediatric populations, particularly for younger children who appear to be more vulnerable to adverse effects.
For more information, refer to the full study: Ju Hee Kim et al., “First-Generation Antihistamines and Seizures in Young Children,” JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.29654.
Additional insights can be found in the commentary by Frank Max Charles Besag, “First-Generation Antihistamines and Seizures in Young Children,” JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.30295.
