CLEVELAND
CLINIC FOUNDATION
Population at Risk for Development of Latex Allergy
To manifest latex allergy, patients must have been previously exposed
to latex.
Patients fall into two main categories:
1. Medical Exposure
a. Patients who have had repeated bladder catheterisation.
These include patients with:
- Neural tube defects - Myelomeningocele/meningocele, Spina
bifida
- Spinal cord trauma
- Urogenital malformations - Bladder exstrophy
- Neurogenic bladder
b. Patients who have had multiple surgical procedures
2. Occupational Exposure
a. Healthcare workers, especially OR personnel, dentists
and cleaners - mainly because of exposure to latex gloves
b. Workers in the rubber industry
Note the following:
- Patients who have had surgery early in life are
particularly at risk
- Any patient who, in addition to having been exposed to latex,
has a history of atopy or multiple allergies is
particularly likely to be latex-allergic. Cross-reactivity exists
with certain foods, notably avocado, banana and chestnut.
- Severe allergic reactions in patients with NO apparent risk
factors are rare but have been documented
- Any patient with a history of unexplained intra-operative
anaphylaxis - suspect latex allergy.
