AMA meeting: Schools urged to plan response for kids' anaphylaxis

AMA wants at-risk kids, and those who care for them, to be prepared.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. July 16, 2007.

Chicago -- Students at risk for anaphylaxis should be allowed access to epinephrine or other appropriate medications, and schools should have emergency-response plans to deal with this possible circumstance. School personnel who initially respond to an incident should be allowed to administer the necessary medications, according to a report from the AMA's Council on Science and Public Health, adopted as policy at last month's Annual Meeting.

"An epinephrine injection at the first sign of a reaction is critical," said AMA Trustee Rebecca J. Patchin, MD. "All states should have laws that allow children to protect themselves by carrying lifesaving tools like epinephrine or other prescribed medication."

The organization took this stand because anaphylaxis, though relatively rare, can be deadly if not dealt with immediately. Also, a growing number of children have allergies and asthma and are at risk, but barriers remain to ensuring they receive proper care.

"As a parent of two kids who have had anaphylaxis, I have to say you can raise them up as little kids. You can try to take care of them. But the moment they enter the school system you have no control over what happens," said Mohamed Khan, MD, PhD, who, as chair of the council, presented the report. "Depending on the school district, they can be in great danger."