The prevalence of
latex allergy in children is increasing worldwide. Previous multiple operations or atopic predisposition are known risk factors. In contrast, only sporadic cases of
latex allergy have been reported in infants younger than 1 year, and the causative
latex-containing products or symptoms in young infants have not been studied in detail.
OBJECTIVE: Cases of
latex allergy in infants younger than 1 year were studied in detail.
Clinical course, causative
latex-containing products were spotted and detailed analysis for
latex allergy in patients and patients' parents was performed.
CONCLUSION: We report nine cases of
latex allergy in infants younger than 1 year. None of them have any abnormality or previous operations. Six patients had
atopic eczema/
dermatitis syndrome, one patient had
bronchial asthma, whereas two patients had no overt allergic diseases. Symptoms of
latex allergy were
wheezing, swelling of face or lips, facial
rash, or
anaphylaxis, and causative
latex-containing products were teat,
pacifier, nose cleaner, teether, balloon, or
enema tube. All of the nine patients had positive skin prick test to
latex and extract from causative
latex-containing products, whereas eight patients had positive serum
latex-specific
IgE. Study for family history revealed that
latex allergy was noted in either father or mother in six patients, in both father and mother in one patient, whereas no
latex allergy was noted in parents in two patients. It should be noted that all of these patients had
latex-induced symptoms at home.
Latex allergy in young infants may not be unusual. Physicians should be aware of
latex allergy, and care should be taken to avoid contact with
latex in young infants, especially when there is family history for
latex allergy.