Secondary prevention of latex allergy in children: analysis of results.
OBJECTIVE
Latex allergy has become an increasing and clinically important problem. Several recommendation for secondary preventive measures have been advised. The aims of the study were to illustrate the results of the latex-safe protocol and to evaluate in allergic patients the role of risk factors for the development of latex allergy.


METHODS
Latex-safe treatment was divided into the following phases: anamnestic identification, allergologic assessment, patient selection, intervention programme, preventive medication, operating room equipment, postoperative management, patient and family training, follow-up.


RESULTS
Between 1998 and 2004, 6.832 patients underwent 7.333 operations. Anamnestic and diagnostic tests showed that 26 patients had latex allergy. 44 secondary perioperative latex-safe management have been accomplished in 26 children. No allergic event or complications linked to the procedure occurred. Atopy, congenital malformations frequently associated with latex allergy and the presence of 5 or more surgical procedures were the major risk factors recognized. Six out of the 26 patients (23%) had only one risk factor (atopy). Twenty out of 26 children (77%) had several associated risk factors: 8 of them had simultaneously 9 of the 10 analysed risk factors. Our data shows that, the higher their number, the higher the gravity of the allergy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although latex allergy is a limited phenomenon, it is nevertheless quite frequent within risk groups. Most patients have simultaneously many risk factors for the development of such an allergy, and the occurrence of several risk factors increases severity of the allergy. Latex-safe perioperative management offers guarantees of safety against latex allergy phenomena.
Gentili
A
A
Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna. andrea_gentili@libero.it
Lima
M
M
Ricci
G
G
Pigna
A
A
Fae
M
M
Di Lorenzo
E
E
Masi
M
M
Baroncini
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D007073:Immunoglobulin E