title: Prevalence and risk factors of latex sensitization in an unselected pediatric population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of latex sensitization has been investigated in population groups considered at high risk, but it has not been systematically surveyed among the general population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the prevalence of and the risk factors associated with latex sensitization in a general pediatric population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 1175 children (mean age +/- SD, 105 +/- 17.5 months) in 11 elementary schools in Tuscany (Italy). All parents answered a questionnaire, and children underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) with latex, six aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, cat, grass pollen, Alternaria tenuis, and Parietaria judaica), three food allergens (milk, egg white, and wheat), and three insect venoms (honeybee, wasp, and Polistes).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight subjects (0.7%; mean age +/- SD, 123 +/- 9.28 months) had positive SPT responses to latex. No children showed allergic reactions to latex. One or more positive SPT responses to aeroallergens were present in 340 children (28.9%); one or more positive SPT responses to food allergens were present in 26 (2.2%); one or more positive SPT responses to aeroallergens, food allergens, or both were present in 353 (30.0%); and one or more positive SPT responses to one or more insect venoms were present in 43 subjects (3.7%). Significant (p < 0.05) risk factors associated with latex sensitization included: positive SPT responses to aeroallergens, food allergens, or both; a positive response to one or more insect venoms; a positive response to mite, milk, egg white, wheat, honeybee venom, wasp venom, Polistes venom, or a combination thereof; and increased age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report shows a very low prevalence of latex sensitization with an absence of clinical symptoms to latex. This study demonstrates a significant association between latex sensitization and the presence of one or more positive SPT responses to aeroallergens, food allergens, or both; one or more positive SPT responses to one or more insect venoms; and increased age.
authors.affiliation: A. Meyer Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novembre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ingargiola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veltroni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mugnaini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianferoni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vierucci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007840:Latex