Nearly Half of Children With Primary Immunodeficiencies Carry Drug Allergy Labels

A retrospective review from Phoenix Children’s Hospital found a high burden of drug allergy labels (DAL) among children with primary immunodeficiencies, many of which had not undergone formal evaluation.

“Drug allergy labels are common in our cohort of children with primary immunodeficiency disorders,” the authors noted.

Among 219 patients (median age, 10 years), 48.4% had at least 1 DAL and 24.7% had multiple labels. Of 226 reported labels, 43.4% involved antibiotics, most commonly penicillins. Only 18.9% of labeled patients underwent allergist evaluation, resulting in delabeling of 17 cases.

“Many labels have not been formally evaluated which limit treatment options,” the authors concluded. “This study highlights the importance of drug allergy evaluation in patients at risk for antibiotic need.”

Reference

Mudge J, Rukasin C. High drug allergy label burden for children with primary immunodeficiencies. Presented at: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology annual meeting. February 27-March 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.