Severe latex allergy after a vaginal examination during labor: a case report

There has been an alarming increase in latex allergy, which can be a potential cause of occupational atopic disease. Physicians should be aware of this entity in high-risk groups and in patients with other allergies. A 32-year-old pregnant woman, with an allergy to orange juice, was first seen with a 39-week pregnancy in the labor room, where she had on two occasions a severe atopic reaction when examined with a latex glove. A latex allergy was suspected, and management with hydrocortisone resulted in remission of symptoms. Two hours later a vaginal delivery was performed with nonlatex, nonvinyl gloves. A week later immunoglobulin E antilatex antibodies determined by radioallergosorbent test were still positive at 585 IU. It is concluded that symptoms of latex allergy may develop in high-risk groups or in those with other known allergies. Because of the increasing frequency of this entity, physicians should take greater care and give more attention to the clinical history, as well as be aware of this possibility in these groups of patients.