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Rubber-specific IgE in children with spina bifida
J E Slater1, L A Mostello, C Shaer
1Department of Allergy and Immunology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010.
Insights
Children with spina bifida show a higher prevalence of rubber-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. This sensitization is linked to an increased risk of allergic reactions associated with rubber exposure.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Latex allergy is a growing concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Spina bifida patients may have increased exposure or susceptibility to allergens.
- Understanding immune responses to rubber antigens is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of rubber-specific IgE in children with spina bifida.
- To assess the clinical significance of this sensitization.
- To compare prevalence with control groups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective case-control study design.
- Inclusion of 32 preoperative spina bifida patients and control groups.
- Latex-specific radioallergosorbent testing (RAST) for IgE antibodies.
Main Results:
- 34% of spina bifida patients had positive latex-specific IgE, significantly higher than controls (2% and 11%).
- A history of allergic reactions was more frequent in antibody-positive spina bifida patients (p=0.012).
- Rubber-specific IgE is significantly more common in children with spina bifida.
Conclusions:
- Children with spina bifida have a significantly higher likelihood of IgE sensitization to rubber antigens.
- Presence of rubber-specific IgE correlates with a greater frequency of allergic reactions.
- This finding highlights the importance of screening and prevention strategies for latex allergy in this population.
Abstract:
We attempted to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of rubber-specific IgE in a prospective case control study of 32 preoperative children with spina bifida, compared with 45 outpatient controls and 35 age-matched preoperative controls without spina bifida. A latex-specific radioallergosorbent test was positive in 11 of the 32 spina bifida patients (34%), compared with 1 (2%) and 4 (11%) of the respective controls (p less than 0.05). Within the spina bifida group 5 of 11 antibody-positive patients had a history of rubber-associated, intraoperative or otherwise idiopathic allergic episodes and 1 of 21 antibody-negative patients gave such a history (p = 0.012). Children with spina bifida have a significantly greater likelihood than controls of having IgE specific for rubber antigens. In addition, the presence of rubber-specific IgE is associated with a higher frequency of rubber-associated, intraoperative or idiopathic allergic reactions.