Latex sensitization: a special risk for the obstetric population?
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have reported a greater frequency of sensitization to latex in the female population and a higher incidence of anaphylactic reactions to latex during cesarean section. In this study, the authors investigated the prevalence of latex sensitization in obstetric patients compared with nonpregnant subjects.


METHODS
Two hundred ninety-four healthy pregnant women who were at term with a singleton fetus and scheduled for caesarean section (group A) were compared with 294 healthy nulliparous women with childbirth potential undergoing gynecologic surgery (group B). Before surgery, patients completed a questionnaire, and venous blood samples were collected to measure specific immunoglobulin E serum concentrations with a fluorescent enzyme immunoassay test. Skin-prick tests were performed if adverse reactions occurred during surgery. Latex allergy was diagnosed on the basis of immunoglobulin E results and/or positive skin-prick tests.


RESULTS
The prevalence of latex sensitization was higher in group A than in group B (15/294, 5.1% vs. 5/294, 1.7%; P < 0.05). A significant difference in specific immunoglobulin E serum concentration was noted between pregnant and nonpregnant patients who had a positive fluorescent enzyme immunoassay test (median serum concentration: 1.93 kilounits/l; interquartile range = 2.28 vs. 0.78 kilounits/l; interquartile range = 1.07; P less than 0.05). Two patients in group A experienced an anaphylactic reaction to latex. Statistical analysis disclosed no association between latex sensitization and accepted risk factor for latex allergy.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors report a higher prevalence of latex sensitization in the obstetric population than in nonpregnant subjects undergoing gynecologic surgery.
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. gdraisci@inwind.it
Gaetano
G
Draisci
Bruno A
BA
Zanfini
Eleonora
E
Nucera
Stefano
S
Catarci
Raffaella
R
Sangregorio
Domenico
D
Schiavino
Alice
A
Mannocci
Giampiero
G
Patriarca
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D018401:Sample Size; D012882:Skin Tests
D007073:Immunoglobulin E