Omalizumab demonstrates efficacy and safety in Chinese children under 12 with chronic urticaria: a case series
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, is recommended as a second-line therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria in patients aged ≥12 years; however, real-world evidence for its use in younger Chinese children remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate its clinical efficacy, safety, and associated characteristics of omalizumab in this underserved pediatric population under 12 years of age. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 13 Chinese children (aged <12 years) with refractory chronic urticaria treated with omalizumab. Effectiveness was assessed by the Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), and safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse events. Results Of the 13 pediatric patients (median age 5.8 years; 46.2% male), all demonstrated rapid clinical improvement within one week after the initial omalizumab dose. Oral antihistamines were successfully discontinued in all patients within four weeks, accompanied by a significant reduction in the median UAS7 score from 20.0 at baseline to 4.0 ( p = 0.001). All 74 administered doses were well tolerated, with no adverse events reported; notably, nearly half of the cohort had comorbid allergic conditions. Conclusion The rapid symptom control and excellent safety profile observed support omalizumab as an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for children under 12 with chronic urticaria.
Source: Frontiers in Pediatrics
Authors: Hui Zhao, Lei Luo, Wan-Ming Jia
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7155072176