title: Profile of latex sensitization and allergies in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele in São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Latex allergy is an important cause of occupational allergy. In many countries the prevalence of latex allergy is still high and the profile of latex sensitization is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of sensitization and allergy to latex in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele and to identify associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 55 children and adolescents with myelomeningocele followed at a specialized center. In addition to a standard questionnaire and skin prick tests (SPTs) to aeroallergens and total latex, the patients underwent determination of total and specific serum IgE to latex and recombinant allergens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a prevalence of 25% for latex sensitization and of 20% for latex allergy. Twenty-four patients (43.6%) were atopic and the average age for the first reaction to latex was 44.5 months. Cutaneous reactions were the most frequently reported reactions (72.7%). Specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E to rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5, rHev b 6.1, and rHev b 6.2 was detected in over 50% of patients allergic to latex. Multivariate analysis showed current asthma, atopy, and having undergone 4 or more operations to be risk factors for latex sensitization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study documented a high prevalence of sensitization and allergy to latex in patients with myelomeningocele. Specific IgE to rHev b 1, rHev b 3, rHev b 5, rHev b 6.1, and rHev b 6.2 was detected in over 50% of children and adolescents with myelomeningocele who are allergic to latex. A history of current asthma, atopy, and having undergone 4 or more operations were independent risk factors for latex allergy.
authors: Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. adriano1976@hotmail.com
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bueno de Sã
authors: R Faria
authors: RF
authors: Camilo Araujo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cavalheiro
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Carvalho Mallozi
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Solé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007840:Latex