ALLERGISCHE TYP-I-REAKTION AUF LATEX ALS URSACHE SCHWERER INTRA-OPERATIVER KOMPLIKATIONEN BEI ZWEI MEHRFACH OPERIERTEN KINDERN

Allergy to latex is an important risk factor during operative procedures in which anaphylactic reactions are not unusual. We describe a 6-year-old boy with a history of omphalocele and a 3-year-old boy with a history of meconium ileus. Both children developed during an operation severe allergic reactions, e.g. bronchial obstruction and anaphylactic shock due to latex allergy. In both cases the reactions were unexpected and could be hardly treated. Noteworthy was that no atopic disease had been known before. Therefore, patients at risk, such as children who have undergone multiple operations and children with atopic disease and strongly elevated IgE, should be tested preoperatively for latex allergy. The increase of allergic reactions to latex demands preventive measures, e.g. the use of unpowdered or latex free gloves, at least in the high risk group.