Latex allergy in pediatrics

Sport participation by physically and cognitively challenged young athletes

Many physically and cognitively challenged athletes participate in organized and recreational sports. Health benefits of sport participation by athletes with disabilities have been well recognized. A careful preparticipation evaluation and proper classification of athletes ensures safe sports participation by athletes with disabilities. Some conditions in these athletes, such as problems with thermoregulation, autonomic control, neurogenic bladder and bowel, latex allergy, and many associated and secondary complications deserve special consideration. This article reviews common medical issues that relate to sport participation by athletes with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Comparison of ammoniated and nonammoniated extracts in children with latex allergy

BACKGROUND

The use of ammoniated or nonammoniated latex extracts for the diagnosis of latex allergy is still a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to compare the characteristics of the two types of extracts by immunoblotting and RAST techniques in children with ascertained latex allergy.

METHODS

Ammoniated (AL) and nonammoniated latex (NAL) extracts were prepared and blotted on SDS-PAGE to resolve their components. Also a solid phase for RAST assays was prepared with the two extracts. The sera from 18 children (mean age 11.4 years, range 6-15 years), with ascertained latex allergy (clinical history, skin test, CAP-RAST and provocation) were used for the experiments.

RESULTS

The NAL extract is resolved in many bands (5-100 kDa), whereas AL showed only few components, likely Hev b 4, 6 and 7. IgE reactivity against AL was observed only in 5/18 patients, whereas 12/18 were positive with NAL. The blotting profile against NAL was complex and the IgE recognition pattern involved different bands.

CONCLUSION

The extract obtained from NAL is able to detect specific IgE against a greater number of allergenic determinants, and therefore a greater diagnostic accuracy can be expected.

The pediatric athlete with disabilities

There have been increased opportunities and sports participation by athletes with disabilities during the past decades. Research on pediatric athletes with disabilities remains limited. Appropriate classification of athletes on the basis of their functional abilities is key to fair participation. Preparticipation evaluation of these athletes is based on similar principles as for able-bodied athletes. The prevalence, nature, evaluation, differential diagnosis, and treatment principles for injuries are similar for athletes with disability and for those without. There are few disability-specific medical and orthopedic issues to be considered in working with these athletes. Sport participation recommendations are based on the specific disability and demands of the sport. The vast majority of athletes with disabilities can participate safely in a number of sports if appropriately matched; such participation should be encouraged and facilitated at all levels because of well-recognized psychological and medical benefits. Significant progress has been made in increasing sports participation opportunities for persons with disabilities; this is especially true for adults and, to a lesser extent, for children and adolescents. Many barriers remain, however: inadequate facilities, exclusion of children with disabilities, medical professional overprotection, lack of trained personnel and volunteers to work with children with disabilities, lack of public knowledge about disabilities, and lack of financial support for sport and physical education in schools [9,12].