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Latex sensitization in general pediatric surgical patients: a call for increased screening of patients
F Meric1, D H Teitelbaum, J D Geiger
1Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, USA.
Insights
Latex allergy can cause life-threatening reactions in pediatric surgery patients. This study found a 0.13% incidence of perioperative latex allergy in general pediatric surgery, highlighting the need for better screening methods.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Allergy and Immunology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Latex sensitization is known in specific pediatric populations with myelodysplastic and urologic anomalies.
- The incidence of latex allergy in general pediatric surgical patients remains unaddressed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk and incidence of perioperative latex reactions in a general pediatric surgical setting.
- To evaluate the occurrence of latex allergy in pediatric surgical patients over a one-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of preoperative anesthesia records for pediatric general surgical operations.
- Evaluation of intraoperative anaphylactic reactions attributed to latex sensitization across multiple hospitals.
Main Results:
- Two cases (0.13%) of intraoperative anaphylaxis due to latex allergy occurred in general pediatric surgical patients at one hospital.
- Four additional cases were reported from other study hospitals, with no prior suspicion of latex allergy based on screening.
Conclusions:
- Latex allergy poses a significant, potentially life-threatening risk to pediatric general surgical patients.
- Improved preoperative identification criteria for patients at risk of latex sensitization are necessary.
Background/Purpose:
Latex sensitization is a well-documented occurrence in children with myelodysplastic and urologic anomalies. The incidence of latex allergy in general pediatric surgical patients, however, has not been previously addressed. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of perioperative latex reactions in a general pediatric surgical practice over a 1-year period.
Methods:
This study examined the occurrence of latex sensitization using two methods. First, the preoperative anesthesia records of patients that have undergone surgery from October 1995 through September 1996 at Mott Children's Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Second, all patients who had intraoperative anaphylaxis attributable to latex sensitization, including those from three additional hospitals, were evaluated.
Results:
During a 12-month period, 1,523 pediatric general surgical operations were performed at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Of these, only 11 operations on five patients were performed under latex precautions. All of these patients had a preoperative diagnosis of latex sensitivity. During the same period, intraoperative anaphylactic reactions caused by latex allergy occurred in two of the general surgical patients (0.13%) at the C.S. Mott Hospital. Four additional cases are also reported from other study hospitals. None of these patients were suspected, based on current screening methods, of having a latex allergy before their surgery.
Conclusions:
Latex allergy is a potentially life-threatening condition in the pediatric general surgical population. Further study is needed to develop criteria to preoperatively identify patients at risk for latex sensitization.