Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42073020›Full record

ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Severe Reactions to Rituximab in Children: A Cohort Study of Rituximab-Induced Serum Sickness and Anaphylaxis.

Camille Feltesse, Jean-François Delisle, Roxane Labrosse, Colette Deslandres, Nadia Roumeliotis, Jean Jacques De Bruycker, Véronique Phan, Thomas Pincez, Yves Pastore

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Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Camille FeltesseDepartment of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5H3, Canada.
Jean-François DelisleDepartment of Pharmacy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
Roxane LabrosseDivision of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3448-2098
Colette DeslandresDivision of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
Nadia RoumeliotisDepartment of Pediatric Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-7463-1233
Jean Jacques De BruyckerDivision of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-6026-6861
Véronique PhanDivision of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-5391-1578
Thomas PincezDepartment of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-9412-333X
Yves PastoreDepartment of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-8567-3308

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesSevere infusion-related reactions to rituximab are rare; we aim to extend our knowledge about them in children, focusing on rituximab-induced serum sickness (RISS) and anaphylaxis.

methodsWe conducted a monocentric retrospective study on children and adolescents who received rituximab. Patients were defined as having RISS if they had fever and at least rash and/or arthralgia, 1 to 30 days following infusion, and without another diagnosis to explain symptoms. Anaphylaxis was defined according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the World Allergy Organization.

results1534 rituximab infusions in 391 patients were analyzed. Seven patients developed RISS; all received rituximab for an autoimmune disease, including four for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Six patients had fever, rash, and arthralgia. C-reactive protein or sedimentation rate was increased in all patients, and complement was decreased in 83%. Evolution was favorable within a few days with corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulins. Rituximab was reinfused in one patient, which resulted in an immediate anaphylactoid reaction. Lower doses of rituximab were less likely to induce RISS. RISS was associated with a greater chance of achieving ITP remission. Seven patients developed anaphylaxis; five successfully received further infusions using desensitization protocols.

conclusionsRISS in children is a severe complication of rituximab infusion. Our study suggests that it may be more frequent in individuals treated for autoimmune conditions, especially ITP. The classical triad of fever, rash, and arthralgia appeared to be frequently present, and biological inflammation and/or low complement can further support the diagnosis. In contrast to anaphylaxis, where rituximab may be safely rechallenged upon desensitization protocol, treatment alternatives should be pursued in patients experiencing RISS, given the higher risk of severe RISS recurrence.

Indexed as

anaphylaxisimmunologypediatricrituximabserum sickness

Identifiers

PMID42073020
PMCPMC13114620

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