Successful off-label use of omalizumab in a child with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Authors

  • Tânia Gonçalves Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2797-8992
  • Iolanda Alen Coutinho Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra
  • Joana Sofia Pita Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6577-155X
  • Paula Leiria Pinto Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Unidade Local de Saúde de São José; NOVA Medical School - Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9027-8388

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v33.i1.28163

Keywords:

chronic spontaneous urticaria, omalizumab, Pediatrics, urticaria

Abstract

Omalizumab is approved as third-line therapy for patients older than 12 years with antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria.
The authors present the case of an eight-year-old boy with a history of migratory maculopapular skin lesions, arthralgias, and conjunctival hyperemia. Laboratory findings were unremarkable. Skin biopsy was consistent with urticaria. Treatment with oral betamethasone and quadruple dose of bilastine was initiated, with clinical resolution of arthralgias and conjunctival hyperemia, but no improvement in skin lesions. After five months of illness, the patient developed several side effects of corticosteroids and was started on cyclosporine, with no clinical response after four weeks of treatment. At this point, he was started on off-label omalizumab 300 mg every four weeks, and corticosteroid therapy was discontinued after one month of treatment. After the third administration of omalizumab, the boy achieved complete clinical resolution.
Omalizumab may be an effective and safe treatment for antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria in pediatric age.

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References

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Published

2024-04-05

How to Cite

1.
Gonçalves T, Alen Coutinho I, Pita JS, Leiria Pinto P. Successful off-label use of omalizumab in a child with chronic spontaneous urticaria. BGMJ [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 5 [cited 2025 Dec. 11];33(1):51-5. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/28163

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Clinical Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Tânia Gonçalves, Iolanda Alen Coutinho, Joana Sofia Pita, Paula Leiria Pinto

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