• Dr. Deepak Raj Paudel

Introduction: Urticaria is a common pediatric skin disorder, characterized by transient, pruritic wheals that affect children's quality of life. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of both acute and chronic urticaria among children aged 6 months to 14 years children visiting in a hospital in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over seven months in the outpatient pediatric department at GP Koirala National Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Hospital, Tanahun. A total of 200 children diagnosed with urticaria were enrolled. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires administered to legal guardians or biological parents, focusing on risk factors such as food allergies, drug reactions, infections, insect bites, and physical triggers. Results: Acute urticaria accounted for 90.4% (n=182) of cases, while chronic urticaria represented 9.6% (n=18). representing the prevalence of urticaria as 4.40% of the total children (n=4550) visited in hospital during period of collection of data, with acute urticaria at 4% and chronic urticaria at 0.40%. Among acute urticaria cases, food allergies (35.2%) and drug reactions (25.8%) were the most frequently reported triggers, followed by insect bites (19.8%) and infections (12.1%). Chronic urticaria was mostly idiopathic (66.7%), with physical triggers such as cold, hot showers, and exercise accounting for 33.3% of cases. The prevalence was higher in urban areas (70%) compared to rural areas (30%). Conclusion: The study highlights a significant prevalence of urticaria among the pediatric population presenting in the hospital with food allergies and drug reactions as key risk factors for acute urticaria. Chronic urticaria remains largely idiopathic. Implementing preventative strategies against known modifiable risk factors such as allergens and early medical interventions could significantly reduce the burden of urticaria in children. Future research should explore genetic predispositions and immune system abnormalities in the pediatric population of Nepal to further refine treatment protocols.

Pediatric urticaria, acute urticaria, chronic urticaria, risk factors, food allergies, drug reactions, idiopathic urticaria, Nepal.

"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urticaria in Children: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Gandaki Province, Nepal", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 9, page no.e508-e521, September-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2409462.pdf

"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urticaria in Children: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Gandaki Province, Nepal", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 9, page no. ppe508-e521, September-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2409462.pdf