Sensitivity and allergy to latex in atopic and non-atopic children.
To study the sensitivity and allergy to latex in children, we investigated sera of 306 atopic and 303 non-atopic children (median age 4.5 years) for specific IgE to latex. In patients with specific IgE to latex, a questionnaire was sent to families and provocation tests were carried out. 60/306 atopic children (20.8%) and 1/303 non-atopic children (0.3%) showed specific IgE to latex in serum. The proportion of atopic, latex-sensitized and provocation positive children was 12/48 (25%). Specific IgE to latex was significantly higher (p < 0.03) in symptomatic compared to non-symptomatic patients. Specificity of a positive history was 92%, sensitivity 50%. Atopic dermatitis tended to be more prevalent among the 12 provocation positive atopic children (75%) compared to 36 provocation negative children (58%). There was a tendency that children of the symptomatic group underwent surgical interventions more frequently compared to non-symptomatic children. In conclusion, latex sensitization and latex allergy seem to have occurred more often in atopic children than previously known. Risk factors for the development of a sensitization to latex are atopy and the clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis; risk factors for a clinically manifest allergy to latex are an elevated specific IgE to latex, a positive history upon contact to material containing latex and probably frequent operations. Provocation tests should be performed to plan avoidance measures in latex-allergic children especially before surgical interventions.
Children's Hospital, Virchow Clinic of Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
C
C
Liebke
B
B
Niggemann
U
U
Wahn
D000293:Adolescent; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications*; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests
D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E