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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / AIDS / October 2004Spina bifida and latex
Individuals born with spina bifida have an extremely high incidence of latex allergy. According to the Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA), research has shown that up to 73% of children and adolescents with spina bifida are latex sensitive. Latex sensitivity was determined by a blood test or by history of an allergic reaction. You can access the SBAA website at http://www.sbaa.org. (I’ve also included a link to the SBAA list of non-latex alternative products in my top five recommended websites.) It’s theorized that the increased sensitization in this population is related to early, frequent exposure to rubber products such as catheters used in bladder programs. These children also tend to have frequent surgeries and diagnostic tests, which increases their exposure to latex gloves. (Frequent surgical intervention is a risk factor even in children who do not have spina bifida; sensitivity to latex has been found in 34.1% of children with a history of three or more surgical procedures. Interestingly, this was not found to be true in adults without spina bifida.) There have been some advances in latex allergy research, in regard to spina bifida. The specific latex proteins that are the primary allergens for individuals with spina bifida have been isolated, and it’s been discovered that they are not the same proteins that are the primary allergens in healthcare workers who have occupational exposure to latex. This may be explained by a difference in the routes of exposure between the two groups. The allergens that cause reactions in individuals with spina bifida are particle bound proteins that are less able to be dissolved in water than some of the other latex proteins. Sensitization to these particular proteins may be caused by repeated contact between the latex and mucus membranes (such as repeated urinary catheterizations). The SBAA recommends that all individuals with spina bifida should be treated as though they are latex sensitive from birth, and they should avoid all contact with latex products in all settings. This includes home, school, day care, and camp, as well as medical facilities. The SBAA has resources available to help parents work with their child’s school to create a latex safe environment. Sample letters to school personnel are available on the SBAA website. In addition, individuals who have had allergic reactions to latex should wear a medic-alert bracelet http://www.medicalert.org and should carry auto-injectable epinephrine, non-latex gloves, and other non-latex equipment for emergency use. >Individuals born with spina bifida have an extremely high incidence of >latex allergy. This may be true. Some people do have latex allergies. Whether repeated exposure can induce it is unclear, tho I suspect it might. The amount in a condom is pretty small. In general, I don't think there are data that support the notion of huge numbers of latex allergic people. Happily, should this be the case, the plastic condom is available in many places. George M. Carter "I don't think there are data that support the notion of huge numbers of latex allergic people.' Oh really! According to FDA Medwatch data as far back as June 1996, there were 28 reported deaths and 225 anaphylactic events associated with latex products in all settings. Recent reports in the literature indicate that from about 1 percent to 6 percent of the general population and about 8 percent to 12 percent of regularly exposed health care workers are sensitized to latex. An estimated 17 million Americans are now sensitive to latex ( up from not one recorded case twenty years ago). (Kelley et al. 1996; Katelaris et al. 1996; Liss et al. 1997; Ownby et al. 1996; Sussman and Beezhold 1995). _________ Warning labels follow almost a decade of increasing research and concern by the FDA. From 1989 through 1990, patients began dying from anaphylactic shock related to the use of barium enema kits with latex cuffs. As the number of deaths increased during that period, the manufacturer voluntarily recalled the devices and started using silicone cuffs. In 1990 through 1991, anaphylactic reactions to latex anesthesia equipment were reported among children. The Center for Disease Control discovered that all of the children who had reactions had spine bifida or other conditions involving the genitourinary tract. Between 19XS and 1992, more than 1000 systemic allergic reactions to natural rubber, including 15 deaths, The Medicaid Bulletin, Volume 111, Issue 11, Summer 1998 ___________ Latex allergy poses a serious problem for nurses and other health care workers; an estimated 8% to 17% of health care workers are allergic to latex, compared with 1% to 6% of people in the general population. According to a 1996 survey, 75% of U.S. hospitals employ workers with diagnosed latex allergies, up from 62% in 1995. Anaphylactic reactions to latex can be fatal: As of June 1996, 28 latex-related deaths had been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). SELECTED REFERENCES Kelly, K.: "Management of the Latex Allergic Patient," Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 15(l):139-157, February 1995. Kelly, K., et al.: "The Diagnosis of Natural Rubber Latex Allergy," Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 93(5):813816, May 1994. Kim, K., et al.: "Diagnostic Evaluation of Type I Latex Allergy," Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 80(l):66-70, January 1998. Kim, K., et al.: "Implementation Recommendations for Making Health Care Facilities Latex Safe," AORN Journal. 67(3):615632, March 1998. SELECTED WEB SITES NIOSH's Latex Allergy Alert: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html Foundation for Latex Allergy Research and Education: http://www.flare.org Latex Allergy Links: http://www.netcom.com/-naml/latex-allergy.html Latex Allergy Help: http://www.latexallergyhelp.com Last accessed on August 24, 1998. "I don't think there are data that support the notion of huge numbers of latex allergic people.' Oh really! According to FDA Medwatch data as far back as June 1996, there were 28 reported deaths and 225 anaphylactic events associated with latex products in all settings. Recent reports in the literature indicate that from about 1 percent to 6 percent of the general population and about 8 percent to 12 percent of regularly exposed health care workers are sensitized to latex. An estimated 17 million Americans are now sensitive to latex ( up from not one recorded case twenty years ago). (Kelley et al. 1996; Katelaris et al. 1996; Liss et al. 1997; Ownby et al. 1996; Sussman and Beezhold 1995). _________ Warning labels follow almost a decade of increasing research and concern by the FDA. From 1989 through 1990, patients began dying from anaphylactic shock related to the use of barium enema kits with latex cuffs. As the number of deaths increased during that period, the manufacturer voluntarily recalled the devices and started using silicone cuffs. In 1990 through 1991, anaphylactic reactions to latex anesthesia equipment were reported among children. The Center for Disease Control discovered that all of the children who had reactions had spine bifida or other conditions involving the genitourinary tract. Between 19XS and 1992, more than 1000 systemic allergic reactions to natural rubber, including 15 deaths, The Medicaid Bulletin, Volume 111, Issue 11, Summer 1998 ___________ Latex allergy poses a serious problem for nurses and other health care workers; an estimated 8% to 17% of health care workers are allergic to latex, compared with 1% to 6% of people in the general population. According to a 1996 survey, 75% of U.S. hospitals employ workers with diagnosed latex allergies, up from 62% in 1995. Anaphylactic reactions to latex can be fatal: As of June 1996, 28 latex-related deaths had been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). SELECTED REFERENCES Kelly, K.: "Management of the Latex Allergic Patient," Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 15(l):139-157, February 1995. Kelly, K., et al.: "The Diagnosis of Natural Rubber Latex Allergy," Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 93(5):813816, May 1994. Kim, K., et al.: "Diagnostic Evaluation of Type I Latex Allergy," Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 80(l):66-70, January 1998. Kim, K., et al.: "Implementation Recommendations for Making Health Care Facilities Latex Safe," AORN Journal. 67(3):615632, March 1998. SELECTED WEB SITES NIOSH's Latex Allergy Alert: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html Foundation for Latex Allergy Research and Education: http://www.flare.org Latex Allergy Links: http://www.netcom.com/-naml/latex-allergy.html Latex Allergy Help: http://www.latexallergyhelp.com Last accessed on August 24, 1998. >"I don't think there are data that support the notion of huge numbers of >latex allergic people.' [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >reported deaths and 225 anaphylactic events associated with latex products >in all settings. SInce June 1996, in the same region covered by the above presuming it isn't a lie, there were a lot more deaths from AIDS. >Recent reports in the literature indicate >that from about 1 percent to 6 percent of the general population and about >8 percent to 12 percent of regularly exposed health care workers are >sensitized to latex. Regularly exposed HCWs. Yes. Indeed. Plastic condoms are also available. George M. Carter "SInce June 1996, in the same region covered by the above presuming it isn't a lie, there were a lot more deaths from AIDS." Even if 'AIDS' existed is that any reason to ignore latex deaths? Is 'AIDS' the only thing in this world you care about? 'Screw them, they didn't dies of AIDS". Worthless corpses. Serves them right for not dying of my favourite myth' A post you should be ashamed of. P.S. People die of real conditions and HAART not a myth. >"SInce June 1996, in the same region covered by the above presuming it >isn't a lie, there were a lot more deaths from AIDS." > >Even if 'AIDS' existed is that any reason to ignore latex deaths? Is >'AIDS' the only thing in this world you care about? Of course not! Here's your spin factory spewing out marvelous little distortions. I said nothing of the sort. The article, of course, did not mention any deaths. These people had a serious underlying disease called spina bifida. Does spina bifida exist, Paul? Perhaps it hasn't been proven to your satisfaction. In any case, they hardly make a case for your hysteria. They are talking about people who have serious medical problems that have required extensive and prolonged exposure that, including multiple surgeries, may predispose them to latex allergy. As the abstract I previously posted noted, there is NO evidence whatsoever that condom use exacerbates or creates latex sensitivity. Once again, Paul, you take a lot of disparate data, shove it together, slap it on the table and have absolutely nothing holding it together but your hysteria. George M. Carter "The article, of course, did not mention any deaths. " As far back as 1996 there had been 28 confirmed latex deaths and 228 near deaths. I have published the references several time but will do so again if you wish. |
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