title: Condoms are not a risk factor for sensitization to latex.
abstract: The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of sensitization to latex in a group of women with a high risk for atopy and to determine whether the use of condoms is a relevant risk factor. In a prospective study, 100 atopic women (defined as having specific IgE to common aero- or nutritional allergens) were screened for specific IgE antibodies to latex after delivery: Ten of the 100 women (10%) showed specific IgE to latex. Total IgE concentrations were higher with a history of occupational exposure or of symptoms after contact with latex (p < 0.05, and p < 0.005, respectively), but condom users were not significantly more frequent in the latex-positive group. Our results indicate that prior use of condoms does not appear to be a specific risk factor for sensitization to latex in post-partum women at high-risk for atopy. Latex-free condoms should only be recommended to women already known to be sensitized to latex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Campus Virchow-Clinic of Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank Chih-Kang
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Büscher
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niggemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017280:Condoms / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E