Latex allergy in a paediatric hospital. Characteristics and risk factors Alergia al látex en un hospital pediátrico. Caracterización y factores de riesgo

Abstract

© 2016 Sociedad Chilena de PediatríaIntroduction The prevalence of latex sensitisation varies according to the population studied. There are various risk factors that increase latex sensitisation, such as genetic risk, atopy, and multiple surgeries. Objective To characterise patients referred to an Immunology Unit with suspected latex allergy, and to analyse their clinical features and risk factors. Patients and method A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted on children suspected of latex allergy. Their medical records were reviewed in order to assess symptoms with contact or exposure to latex materials. Known risk factors to latex sensitisation, such as pathologies requiring repeated surgery (spina bifida, myelomeningocele, scoliosis and nephro-urological alterations), atopy (rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis) were investigated. A prick test and/or specific IgE to latex were also performed. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to find associations between