Latex Hypersensitivity among Allergic Egyptian Children: Relation to Parental/Self Reports

Abstract

Background. Latex allergy is one of the major health concerns and allergic reactions to latex may be serious and fatal. Purpose. In this study, we sought to determine the frequency of latex hypersensitivity in a group of allergic Egyptian infants and children and its relation to the history provided by the patients or caregivers. Methods. We consecutively enrolled 400 patients with physician diagnosed allergic diseases. The study measurements included clinical evaluation for the site and duration of allergy, history suggestive of latex allergy, family history of allergy, and skin prick testing (SPT) using a commercial latex extract. Results. The study revealed that 16/400 (4%) patients had positive SPT; 11 of them only had positive history of sensitivity to latex. Positive latex SPT was reported in 3.4% (11/326) of patients with bronchial asthma, 5.9% (7/118) of patients with skin allergy, and 4.5% (2/44) of patients with allergic rhinitis. SPT was positive in 7.4% (4/54) of patients with concomitant respiratory and skin allergy. Latex SPT was more specific than sensitive (97.69% and 77.77%, resp.) with a negative predictive value of 99.47%. Conclusion. Although underrecognized, latex is an important allergen in the pediatric age group with a sensitization frequency of 4% among allergic children. It was observed to be especially associated with multiple allergic diseases coexisting in the same patient. Pediatric allergologists should educate their patients on latex allergy and encourage the use of latex-free products.

Asthma and Food Allergy: Which Risks?

“…During school activities, children could be exposed in a non-obvious way to potential allergens hidden in nondietary sources, reporting apparently unexplainable chronic allergic symptoms. Examples are the plasticine that contains wheat, the stuffed animals that can be made with crushed or ground nut shells, finger paint containing wheat, milk, corn and oat, crayons containing soy, dustless chalk containing casein, and balloons manufactured with natural rubber latex [86]. Alternative materials and precautions should be used to avoid potential reactions for allergic children.…”

Current prevalence rate of latex allergy: Why it remains a problem?

“…Studies have shown that tropical fruits (such as avocado, banana, chestnut, and kiwi) contain proteins having allergenic similarities with latex 31,32) . Patients with allergy to these fruits have high risk of cross-reactivity and develop allergy known as "latex fruit syndrome " when they come in contact with latex-derived products [32][33][34] .A pproximately 30%-50% of individuals with latex allergy show an associated hypersensitivity to one or more fruits 6,32,34) .…”

Latex Allergy in Children

“…Atopy has also been reported as a risk factor for developing latex sensitization and allergy. In the general population of children, the percentage of latex sensitization is approximately 1% [ 4 ], but it increases to 3–5% in atopic children [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], with about half of them experiencing clinical manifestations ( Table 3 ).…”