Has your child had an allergic reaction to penicillin?

As part of the Leading Steps PADLPOP (Penicillin Allergy De-Labelling in Paediatric Out Patients) Research Study, we are conducting penicillin allergy testing for children who have previously had a minor adverse reaction when given penicillin, to determine if they have a true allergy.

Allergy testing is done at no cost to study participants.

For more information about this Research Study, please complete the form below and a nurse will be in contact.

Is your child eligible for penicillin allergy testing as part of the PADLPOP Research Study?

Yes

They are between the ages of 1-16 years old

They have been labelled with a penicillin allergy

They have experienced symptoms such as a rash or gastrointestinal side effects including diarrhoea or vomiting

They have a parent or legal guardian who can provide informed consent

No

They have experienced ‘high risk’ symptoms suggestive of a serious reaction, or anaphylaxis, including breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, tingling mouth, hoarse voice, throat tightness, swelling of the lips, face, eyes or tongue, persistent dizziness or collapse, or became pale and floppy (most likely in very young children)

They are pregnant

They are experiencing significant immunosuppression due to medical treatment including daily oral steroids exceeding a dose of 0.5mg/kg

They have an unstable medical condition, such as brittle asthma or heart failure, that will place them at increased risk should a serious adverse event occur

Why it’s important to determine if your child has a true penicillin allergy.

Penicillin is often the safest and most effective antibiotic available. However, if you spend any time in hospitals, you’ll see nearly 1 in 10 patients with the big red penicillin allergy label on their wrist band. Research shows that when properly tested, most people with this label don’t actually have a true allergy. This is mainly because some children experienced a reaction during a period of illness such as a rash, nausea or vomiting, that was incorrectly attributed to penicillin.

It’s important to find out if your child has a true allergy because being labelled as allergic to penicillin has some significant hidden dangers.

Some of these include:

  • Limited access to antibiotics

  • Higher chance of contracting a ‘super bug’ or antibiotic resistant infections

  • Longer hospital stays

  • Increased readmission rates

  • Surgical site infections

  • Admissions to intensive care

What’s Involved in the penicillin allergy testing?

Phase One: Eligibility

Phase Two: Testing

Phase Three: Follow Up

Determining Eligibility

Fill out the form on this page. A nurse from our team will be in touch with you to make sure that your child meets the criteria.

Testing

Step 1: Your child will meet with a paediatrician who will assess their suitability for the study. This can be in person or through Telehealth.

Step 2: Your child will have a check-up and then receive a small dose of penicillin. If there is no reaction after 30 minutes, a second larger dose is given and your child is carefully observed for one hour. A consultant emergency physician will be present to supervise to ensure your child’s safety. The full testing should take approximately 2-3 hrs.

Step 3: If your child has no reaction, they will be discharged and asked to complete a five day course of penicillin at home.

Follow up

The research nurse will call you 6-9 days later to check how your child tolerated the penicillin.
They will call you again 4, 8 and 12 months later to check your child’s progress.

After The Testing

You’ll receive documentation confirming the results of your child’s penicillin allergy testing. This documentation will make it easier for your child's doctor to prescribe the safest and most effective antibiotics in the future.

Watch & Learn

An overview of the penicillin allergy testing and PADLPOP Research Study as shown on Channel 9 News.

Meet The PADLPOP Researchers

  • Dr Amy Whittaker

    Dr Whittaker is the Chief Investigator of the PADLPOP Study and Paediatrician at Leading Steps Paediatric Clinic on the Gold Coast.

  • Dr David Pincus

    Dr Pincus is a Paediatrician at Leading Steps Paediatric Clinic and Clinical Sub-Dean at Bond University.

  • Dr Victoria Matheson

    Dr Matheson is a paediatrician and Emergency Physician at Leading Steps Paediatric Clinic and the Gold Coast University Hospital.

  • Dr Ben Walters

    Dr Walters is the Director of Emergency Medicine at Pindara Private Hospital.