Ethylene oxide allergy in children with spina bifida.
BACKGROUND
Allergic reactions to ethylene oxide (EtO-treated products have occurred in several children with myelomeningoceles.


OBJECTIVE
The object of this study was to define the prevalence and significance of EtO-specific IgE among the children in our myelomeningocele clinic.


METHODS
The study population comprised three groups: children clinic.


METHODS
The study population comprised three groups: children with myelomeningoceles, chronically ill controls (defined as children who had undergone at least three major operations), and well-child controls. Serum specimens were collected from each child, and a commercially available ELISA designed to identify IgE directed against both EtO and latex was performed on the specimens.


RESULTS
Seventeen of 75 (23%) children with myelomeningoceles had antibodies directed against EtO, as did 1 of 26 (4%) chronically ill controls. None of the 25 well controls had detectable levels of anti-EtO IgE. Children with antibodies directed against EtO were more likely to be atopic (p = 0.007) and to have a shunt (p = 0.021) and were markedly more likely to have antibodies directed against latex (p = 0.001). On average they had undergone more shunt revisions and other operations than had children without anti-EtO antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
During the period of study no child had anaphylaxis thought to have been due to EtO exposure.
Pittman
T
T
Division of Neurological Surgery, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA.
Kiburz
J
J
Steinhardt
G
G
Krock
J
J
Gabriel
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D005027:Ethylene Oxide / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D007840:Latex; D005027:Ethylene Oxide