PURPOSE: Recently, latex type I hypersensibility reactions were frequently described, mainly in children with myelomeningocele (MMC), which maintain earlier intimate and frequent contact with latex products. Allergic food cross-reactions are well known for many years. Nowadays, latex allergy is frequently associated with food allergies to avocado, banana, kiwi, grapefruit, papaya, chestnut and peach. BACKGROUND: The objective of this study consisted in identifying the number of patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) and banana-latex clinico-laboratorial sensitization. METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to 33 children with MMC, and blood was collected from 30 to perform latex Ig E (RAST Pharmacia), and from 29 to banana Ig E. Specific Ig E equal or above class I was considered positive. RESULTS: Four children related histories of latex contact urticaria, and one child related a history of urticaria and diarrhea with banana. 14/30 (46.6%) were latex Ig E positive, and 4/29 (13.7%) to banana. There was no statistically significant association between variables. CONCLUSIONS: We identified high prevalence of latex and banana allergies in patients with MMC, and we need more studies to analyze the prevalence of food-latex allergic cross-reactions in children with MMC.
Banana allergy; Child; Latex allergy; Spina bifida
