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Pediatric · Pediatric · ALS

Pediatric allergic reaction & anaphylaxis

Use weight-based epinephrine first for anaphylaxis, then treat airway, breathing, and perfusion.

OCEMS source summary · Updated 2026-09-16

Key cautions & base contact

  • The IM and IV/IO epinephrine solutions have different concentrations and maximum doses.
  • Document prearrival epinephrine and diphenhydramine to avoid treating those doses as if they never occurred.

Classify the reaction

  • Stable rash/urticaria alone has a different branch from angioedema or systemic anaphylaxis; SpO₂ below 95% moves the patient to the anaphylaxis branch.
  • Anaphylaxis findings include hypotension, wheeze, hypoxia, stridor, intraoral swelling, GI symptoms, or impending obstruction.
  • For isolated facial/cervical angioedema, the source lists one 0.01 mg/kg IM epinephrine dose (maximum 0.5 mg), held if an auto-injector was already given, plus oxygen and diphenhydramine as specified.

First-line anaphylaxis care

  • Give epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IM of 1 mg/mL into the lateral thigh; maximum 0.5 mg. Count prior auto-injector treatment as the first dose.
  • Provide oxygen as tolerated. For hypotension, give normal saline 20 mL/kg IV/IO, maximum 250 mL per bolus, and contact base; may repeat twice for 3 total boluses.
  • For wheeze or room-air hypoxia below 95%, give continuous albuterol 5 mg/6 mL as tolerated.

Persistent symptoms after about 5 minutes

  • With continued hypotension, respiratory distress, or impending obstruction, a second dose may be 0.01 mg/kg IM of 1 mg/mL, maximum 0.5 mg; OR 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO of 0.1 mg/mL, maximum 0.3 mg.
  • After initial epinephrine, give diphenhydramine 1 mg/kg IM/IV/IO once, maximum 50 mg, unless already taken before EMS arrival.

Contact & transport

  • Contact base (pediatric-capable preferred) and provide ALS escort to the designated pediatric-capable or other ERC.
  • Reassess airway, respiratory effort, perfusion, and response repeatedly. Even a resolving reaction after self-administered epinephrine needs ALS evaluation and transport as described by the source.