Acute urticaria in children: multidisciplinary management, diagnostic markers, and personalized therapy

Objective — to assess total serum IgE levels in children with acute urticaria in order to improve diagnostic accuracy, determine disease severity, and substantiate a personalized therapeutic approach. An additional objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary collaboration between pediatricians and dermatologists in the clinical management of such cases. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the «Simeyniy» Diagnostic Center in Lviv, Ukraine. A total of 82 children aged 1 to 18 years were enrolled. The main group comprised 38 children with clinical manifestations of acute urticaria, with or without concomitant angioedema. The control group included 44 healthy children with no evidence of chronic pathology. All participants underwent a comprehensive clinical examination and provided a detailed allergological history. Total serum IgE was quantified using a chemiluminescent immunoassay technique. Results and discussion. Children with acute urticaria demonstrated significantly elevated total IgE levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The highest IgE concentrations were observed in the subgroup with concurrent angioedema. A moderate positive correlation was established between serum IgE levels and clinical severity indicators such as pruritus intensity, extent of skin involvement, and systemic symptoms (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). In patients with recurrent episodes, IgE levels remained persistently elevated, suggesting ongoing sensitization.These findings confirm the utility of total IgE measurement as a valuable diagnostic marker in the evaluation of pediatric acute urticaria, particularly in complex or recurrent presentations. The pediatrician plays a pivotal role in early symptom recognition and exclusion of comorbid conditions, while the dermatologist ensures accurate clinical verification of the diagnosis, distinguishing urticarial lesions from vasculitis, hereditary angioedema, and other nosologies with overlapping features. Conclusions. Children with acute urticaria exhibit significantly higher total IgE levels than healthy controls, with a statistically significant correlation with clinical severity and recurrence. Incorporating this parameter into diagnostic algorithms enables the identification of IgE­mediated responses and the tailoring of individualized treatment strategies. Coordinated interdisciplinary management involving both pediatricians and dermatologists enhances the quality of treatment and helps prevent complications and chronicity of the disease course.