title: Prevalence of latex allergy in a population of patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele.
abstract: Latex allergy is one of the main reasons of anaphylaxis in the operating room. The prevalence of this condition is higher among patients with myelomeningocele. Epidemiological data obtained from Argentine patients is scarce.
  
  
  
  To estimate the prevalence of latex sensitivity and latex allergy in a population of patients with myelomeningocele and to describe associated risk factors.
  
  
  
  Descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Family and personal history of allergy, number of surgeries, history of symptoms caused by having been in contact with latex or cross-reactive foods, eosinophil count, measurement of total immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin E levels by means of skin and serologic testing for latex, aeroallergens and cross-reactive fruit.
  
  
  
  Eighty-two patients diagnosed with myelomeningocele were assessed: 41 were males and their average age was 15.3 ± 7.66 years old. Out of all patients, two did not complete skin and serologic testing. Among the remaining 80 patients, 16 (19.51%) had latex allergy, 46 (57.5%) were not allergic, and 18 (22%) showed sensitivity but not allergy. Having undergone more than five surgeries was a risk factor associated with latex allergy (p= 0.035). No significant association was observed with the remaining outcome measures.
  
  
  
  According to this study, the prevalence of latex allergy in this population of patients is 19.51% and the most important risk factor for this condition is a history of having undergone more than five surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Alergia Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina. claudio.parisi@hiba.org.ar.
authors.forename: Claudio A S
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.affiliation: Sección de Alergia Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: Natalia A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Petriz
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Clínica Pediátrica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: Julio N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Busaniche
authors.affiliation: Clínica de Mielomeningocele, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cortines
authors.affiliation: Clínica de Mielomeningocele, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: Fernando A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Frangi
authors.affiliation: Clínica de Mielomeningocele, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: Santiago A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.affiliation: Clínica de Mielomeningocele, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1199ABD, Argentina.
authors.forename: Francisco I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: de Badiola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Allergy; Latex; Myelomeningocele; Risk factors; Surgery