Related Experiment Videos
Sensitivity and allergy to latex in atopic and non-atopic children
C Liebke1, B Niggemann, U Wahn
1Children's Hospital, Virchow Clinic of Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Latex allergy is more common in atopic children than previously thought. Atopy and atopic dermatitis are risk factors for latex sensitization, while specific IgE and frequent surgeries indicate a higher risk of allergy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Latex allergy is a growing concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Atopy is a known risk factor for developing allergies, but its specific link to latex allergy in children requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of latex sensitization and allergy in atopic and non-atopic children.
- To identify risk factors associated with latex sensitization and clinically manifest latex allergy in children.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 609 children (306 atopic, 303 non-atopic) were tested for specific IgE to latex.
- Questionnaires and provocation tests were administered to children with positive specific IgE results.
- Clinical data, including history of atopic dermatitis and surgical interventions, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Specific IgE to latex was detected in 20.8% of atopic children versus 0.3% of non-atopic children.
- Among symptomatic children, specific IgE to latex was significantly higher (p < 0.03).
- Atopic dermatitis was more prevalent in children with positive provocation tests (75%).
Conclusions:
- Latex sensitization and allergy are more frequent in atopic children than previously recognized.
- Atopy and atopic dermatitis are risk factors for latex sensitization.
- Elevated specific IgE, positive latex exposure history, and frequent surgeries are risk factors for clinically manifest latex allergy.
Abstract:
To study the sensitivity and allergy to latex in children, we investigated sera of 306 atopic and 303 non-atopic children (median age 4.5 years) for specific IgE to latex. In patients with specific IgE to latex, a questionnaire was sent to families and provocation tests were carried out. 60/306 atopic children (20.8%) and 1/303 non-atopic children (0.3%) showed specific IgE to latex in serum. The proportion of atopic, latex-sensitized and provocation positive children was 12/48 (25%). Specific IgE to latex was significantly higher (p < 0.03) in symptomatic compared to non-symptomatic patients. Specificity of a positive history was 92%, sensitivity 50%. Atopic dermatitis tended to be more prevalent among the 12 provocation positive atopic children (75%) compared to 36 provocation negative children (58%). There was a tendency that children of the symptomatic group underwent surgical interventions more frequently compared to non-symptomatic children. In conclusion, latex sensitization and latex allergy seem to have occurred more often in atopic children than previously known. Risk factors for the development of a sensitization to latex are atopy and the clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis; risk factors for a clinically manifest allergy to latex are an elevated specific IgE to latex, a positive history upon contact to material containing latex and probably frequent operations. Provocation tests should be performed to plan avoidance measures in latex-allergic children especially before surgical interventions.