516 Profile of Latex Sensitization in Children with Myelomeningocele of São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Latex allergy is an important cause of occupational allergy and is responsible for numerous allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. METHODS: The study included 55 children with myelomeningocele followed at a specialized center. In addition to a standard questionnaire and skin tests for immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity to aeroallergens and total latex, the patients underwent determination of serum total and specific IgE to latex and its fraction recombinants. RESULTS: The rates observed were 45% for sensitivity and 20% for latex allergy (sensitization with clinical symptoms). Twenty-four (43.6%) patients were atopic and the average age at the first episode of reaction to latex was 44.5 months, with cutaneous reactions being the most frequently reported (72.7%). Specific IgE to fractions rHev b1, 3, 5, 6.1 and 6.2 were detected in more than 50% of patients allergic to latex. The group comprising sensitive and allergic patients was different from non-sensitized subjects regarding the following variables: atopy, rhinitis, angioedema, average number of surgeries, patients with 4 or more surgeries, use of ventricular peritoneal shunt, the presence of at least one skin tests for immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity positive for aeroallergen and serum total IgE greater than 200 KU / l. Multivariate analysis showed as significant: current asthma, atopy and the number of surgeries undergone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study documented the raised prevalence of awareness and latex allergy in patients with myelomeningocele. Specific IgE to fractions rHev b1, 3, 5, 6.1 and 6.2 were detected in more than 50% of children with myelomeningocele who are allergic to latex. The number of surgeries that the patients were submitted to determined higher levels of specific IgE, especially rHev b5 and 6.01. History of current asthma, atopy, and having undergone 4 or more surgeries were independent risk factors identified for latex allergy.