Screening for natural latex allergy in children with congenital neurogenicbladder dysfunction

Objectives: The risk to suffer from natural latex allergy is increased in c hildren with congenital neurogenic bladder dysfunction. We, therefore, eval uated whether or not a serologic screening for detection of sensitization t o latex is reasonable in these children. Patients and Methods: 40 children aged from 6 months to 17 years were exami ned by specific questionnaire-based patient histories, and by determination of total serum immunoglobuline E (total IgE) and natural latex-specific se rum immunoglobulin E (latex-IgE) by solid-phase immunoassays. Results: 5 children had a history of allergic reaction to rubber containing materials. In 10 children,latex-IgE was elevated > 0.35 kU/I, 6 out of the se 10 children without a history of allergic reactions to rubber containing materials. There was a positive correlation of elevated latex-IgE values a nd the number of former surgical procedures (p < 0.006),while no correlatio n was found between elevated latex-IgE values and clean intermittent cathet erization (p = 0.408). Conclusion: Compared to questionnaire-based patient histories, serologic sc reening examination including determination of latex-IgE values may better identify children at risk to suffer from sensitization to natural latex.