According to a recent study (P Mehta et al. JPGN 2017; 64: 546-49), propofol was safe in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and food allergy.

This finding was based on a retrospective study of 1365 upper endoscopies (2013-2014).  Though, propofol was used less frequently, “there was no difference in complication rates relative to propofol use.”

Specifically, egg or soy allergy patients had 38 procedures; 114 children had EoE (without known egg or soy allergy) and 27 and EoE and egg or soy allergy.

This study is important because propofol is used frequently in patients with egg and soy allergies despite a contraindication warning on the package insert. Nevertheless, this study does not provide a definitive answer due to the very low rates of allergic reactions to propofol (~1:10,000 to 1:20,000).  In addition, the diagnosis of food allergy in this study relied on review of the medical record.

My take: This study is limited in scope but did not identify any significant safety concerns with propofol in patients who had EoE and/or egg/soy allergies.

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