title: Latex allergy and sensitization in children with spina bifida.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of latex sensitization and latex allergy among children with spina bifida and to evaluate risk factors for natural rubber latex hypersensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 children between 2.5 and 17 years of age participated in the study. Participants completed a questionnaire and underwent skin prick tests with latex, common aeroallergens and food allergens as well as measurements of specific IgE to latex and food allergens (RAST CAP).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of latex sensitization and latex allergy was estimated to be 32.4 and 18.8%, respectively. The most common reported clinical manifestation of latex allergy was urticaria. Three out of six symptomatic patients reported anaphylactic reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that major risk factors for latex sensitization were atopy and a history of numerous operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Allergology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. aobojski@dilnet.wroc.pl
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obojski
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chodorski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Barg
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Medrala
authors.forename: Andrzej M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fal
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Małolepszy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E