[Allergy and intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in children].

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely prescribed in children. They are the second cause of drug's reactions in pediatrics after beta-lactam antibiotics, however only a part of them are hypersensitivity reactions. The prevalence of these reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in children is 0.3 %, increasing to 5 % in asthmatics. The different physiopathological mechanisms involved (inhibition of cyclooxygenase, immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity, reactive T lymphocytes and/or disturbance of innate immunity) will cause different clinical entities with diverse symptoms. The confusion between the common symptoms of a viral infection and a hypersensitivity reaction, and the variability of the clinical presentations make diagnosis a real challenge. A detailed clinical history, laboratory, skin and controlled provocation tests will provide strategies for each patient, without labeling a child who is not an allergic one, or taking unnecessary risks with those who are sensitized.