title: Atopy, the use of condoms, and a history of cesarean delivery: potential predisposing factors for latex sensitization in pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to assess the prevalence of latex sensitization among women admitted for delivery and the relevant risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study 333 consecutive patients admitted for delivery were screened for specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to latex and for atopic status. A questionnaire was filled in and included questions about the obstetric and surgical history, known contact with latex, and previous use of condoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine of 333 (2.7%) women showed latex-specific immunoglobulin E. All 9 women had atopy (100% vs 26. 2% in the latex-negative group; P <.00001). Of 8 patients with specific immunoglobulin E who gave details about the use of condoms, 6 had had frequent contact with latex condoms (75% vs 51%). Previous cesarean delivery was more frequent in latex-sensitized patients (33% vs 8.4%; P <.05), whereas previous pregnancies, previous deliveries, and total number of operations had no influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given a prevalence of 2.7% of latex sensitization, all obstetric patients should be questioned about known immediate allergic reaction to latex, a predisposition to atopy, previous intra-abdominal operations, and the regular use of condoms in the past. Patients with atopy and additive risk factors should be treated in a latex-free environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: von Dehn
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Büscher
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dudenhausen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niggemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017280:Condoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E