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Biomedical subjects

R Bernardini

Publications and source records attributed to R Bernardini.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Latex allergy in children: description of two cases].

Here we present two cases of latex hypersensitivity. The clinical manifestations were conjunctivitis, urticaria, angioedema and dermatitis. The patients presented positive skin prick test (SPT) to latex with a commercial extract and by pricking through a latex surgical glove. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to latex and patch testing to common additives and to latex were negative. Skin prick tests with fruits (banana, kiwi, pineapple, apricot, avocado, grape) were positive but children presented no symptoms after ingestion of these fruits. These case reports are presented to heighten awareness of the potential of latex allergy also in children.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (E.I.B.) and its correlation with clinical history in children with allergic asthma].

In this study, 65 allergic asthmatic children were evaluated for the presence of exercise induced bronchospasm (E.I.B.). Pulmonary function (volume at 1 second of forced expiration--FEV1; maximal mid-expiratory flow--FEF 25-75; peak expiratory flow--PEF) was assessed before and serially for 20' following treadmill exercise. Only 18 children (27.6%) presented a fall in FEV1 > or = 20%. There was a relationship between severity of asthma and incidence of E.I.B., as children with episodic, frequent and chronic asthma presented respectively 13/55 (23.4%), 2/6 (33.3%) and 3/4 (75%) of positive responses. The presence of E.I.B. cannot be predicted by clinical history, as 15/36 (41.7%) of subjects with positive clinical history had E.I.B., against 3/29 (10.3%) of subjects with negative clinical history (p = n.s.). E.I.B. in asthmatic children is less frequent as reported, correlates with severity of asthma and cannot be accurately predicted from the history.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Allergy to latex evaluated at an allergology clinic].

Natural rubber latex allergy is responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms ranging from rhinoconjunctivitis to severe anaphylaxis both in adults and children. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of latex sensitization in children evaluated for allergic disease. Four hundred fifty three consecutive children evaluated for allergic disease in a university outpatient allergy clinic were screened. A detailed clinical history with particular attention to the past surgical history and the use of natural dummies or pacifiers was obtained. Skin prick tests (SPT) for the more important inhalants and foods were performed on all children. In patients with positive latex SPT, latex challenge and RAST as well as patch test with latex were also done. Ten out 326 atopic children (3%) presented positive skin test to latex, but only five (1.5%) also had a positive clinical history to latex exposure. Latex challenge was positive in 3/9 positive latex SPT children. None of the non-atopic children had positive skin test to latex or symptoms to latex exposure. A history of previous surgery was found in 5/10 positive latex SPT children, in 63/316 negative latex SPT atopic children (p < 0.05) and in 23/127 non-atopic children. The use of natural dummies or pacifiers was similar in atopic (positive or negative latex SPT) and non-atopic children. RAST to latex was positive in 5/10 positive latex SPT children. Latex SPT sensitivity was demonstrated in a moderate proportion of atopic children (3%) even if only half of these patients had a positive clinical history to latex exposure. Latex challenge was positive in 3 out 9 latex SPT positive children. SPT to latex is a safe and simple method to detect sensitive patients and should be included in the routine PT series of inhalant allergens.

Adult↗