Dental Management of Children with Latex Allergy

Department of Pediatric Dentistry

Lutheran Medical Center

Kris Hendricks Date: 05-07-10

Article title: Dental management of children with latex allergy

Author(s): S. M. Hashim Nainar

Journal: International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

Volume (number): 11

Month, Year: 2001

Major topic: Latex Allergy

Minor topics: Patient Management

Type of Article: Informative

Main Purpose:

Review of management of children with latex allergy

Overview of method of research:

Review of the literature.

Findings:

Latex allergy has serious consequences for the dental management of patients with certain medical conditions. Providers need to be aware of the many varying sources of latex in the dental environment which could cause an allergic reaction.

For skin rash, treat with 1%Hydrocortisone. For anaphylaxis use epi 1:1000 IM or 1:10,000 IV and notify EMS immediately.

Key points/Summary :

Latex allergy was first reported in the dental literature in 1993.

Latex allergy could be the main cause of anaphylactic shock during surgery in children.

Latex allergy has shown cross-reactivity with various food allergies including avacoado, banana, chestnut, kiwi, potato and tomato.

High risk factors for latex allergy in children include:

• spina bifida, atopy, first surgery before age 1, history of multiple surgeries, congenital urologic abnormalities, gastrointestinal malformations, hydrocephalus internus, ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, spinal cord injuries, family history of atopy.

Good history includes asking about any allergies to toys or other things the children have contact with.

Management

1. Treat latex allergy pt first
2. designate a latex free operatory
3. Have a latex free emergency cart
4. Avoid dental products that may contain latex including items in the waiting room.
5. Autoclave latex free items seperate from latex containing items
6. Allergy pts needing significant amounts of dental work are best treated under general anesthesia in a latex free OR.

Assessment of article:

Good read on latex allergies. The only thing not mentioned was the latex prophy cup which has come up on boards in the past.