Natural rubber latex allergy is not a cause of sudden infant death.
BACKGROUND
The causes for sudden infant death (SID) remain unclear. As infants can become sensitized to NRL allergens by pacifiers and latex mattresses, we tried to establish whether there is a relationship between SID and natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy.


METHODS
We determined NRL-specific IgE concentrations in 112 unselected cases of SID by the CAP-FEIA method.


RESULTS
NRL-specific IgE could be detected only in 1 sample (0.64 kU/l; CAP class 1).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that NRL allergy is not a cause of SID.
Gutgesell
C
C
Department of Dermatology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Seubert
S
S
Saternus
K
K
Fuchs
T
T
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology