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Latex sensitization and allergy in children with spina bifida in Turkey
Gokhan Bozkurt1, Cansin Sackesen, Ersoy Civelek
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, 06100, Samanpazari, Ankara, Turkey. gbozkurtmd@yahoo.com
Insights
Latex allergy and sensitization are less common in Turkish children with spina bifida (SB) than previously reported. Key risk factors include atopy and multiple non-central nervous system surgeries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Latex allergy is a significant concern in children with spina bifida (SB).
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for latex sensitization in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of latex sensitization and allergy in Turkish children with spina bifida.
- To identify risk factors associated with latex sensitization in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 175 children across four groups: SB, other neurological disorders, atopic, and healthy controls.
- Latex sensitivity and allergy assessed via skin prick tests, specific IgE, and latex provocation tests.
Main Results:
- Latex sensitization observed in 10 SB children, 2 with other neurological disorders, and 3 atopic children; only 1 SB child had confirmed latex allergy.
- Multivariate analysis identified skin test positivity, non-central nervous system (CNS) surgery, and the number of operations as significant risk factors for sensitization.
Conclusions:
- Prevalence of latex sensitivity and allergy in Turkish children with SB is lower than previously published rates.
- Atopy, non-CNS operations, and a higher number of total operations are key risk factors for latex sensitization.
Purpose:
The latex allergy is known as a very frequent problem of children with spina bifida (SB). The aim of this prospective study is to determine the frequency of latex sensitization and allergy in Turkish children with SB and to evaluate the related risk factors.
Methods:
We enrolled a total of 175 children and collected them in four groups of patients: children with SB, children who had neurosurgical disorders other than SB, atopic children with allergic diseases, and healthy children as control group. All cases were evaluated for latex sensitivity and allergy with skin prick tests and specific IgE. The diagnosis of latex allergy was confirmed with the latex provocation test.
Results:
Ten children with SB, two children with other neurological disorders, and three atopic children with allergic disease were found "sensitized to latex". Among these sensitized children, only one child with SB had latex allergy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the children with SB and other neurologic disorders and the whole group of patients showed that skin test positivity, the presence of noncentral nervous system (CNS) surgery, and the number of the operations were significant risk factors for latex sensitization.
Conclusions:
Our study showed that rates of latex sensitivity and allergy in children with SB in Turkey are significantly lower than published rates in literature. We also found that atopy, the presence of non-CNS operations in children with SB and other neurologic disorder, and total number of operations in the whole group of patients are the most important risk factors for latex sensitization.
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