Pediatric allergy and immunology in Spain.

The data of the ISAAC project in Spain show a prevalence of childhood asthma ranging from 7.1% to 15.3%, with regional differences; a higher prevalence, 22.

Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic respiratory diseases: an evaluation of meta-analyses.

Background: Five published meta-analyses (MAs) seem to prove the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis.

Objective: We aimed to assess the consistency, magnitude, and robustness of the results of these MAs.

Methods: The data reported in the MAs were checked with the data reported in the original studies.

Adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids in funded and nonfunded studies.

Background: Evidence regarding the safety profile of drugs may vary depending on study sponsorship. We aimed to evaluate differences between studies funded by the pharmaceutical manufacturer of the drug (PF) and those with no pharmaceutical funding (NoPF) regarding the finding and interpretation of adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids.

Methods: We assessed the safety reporting of inhaled corticosteroids in 275 PF and 229 NoPF studies identified by a MEDLINE search using prespecified criteria.

Frequent IgE sensitization to latex, cow's milk, and egg in children with short bowel syndrome.

Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) undergo frequent operations, so they are at risk for sensitizing to latex. There have been isolated reports of sensitization to food in these children. In a cross-sectional study, we assessed sensitization to latex, cow's milk, and egg with skin prick tests (SPT) and serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 14 children with SBS.

Patterns of latex allergen recognition in children sensitized to natural rubber latex.

Single recombinant latex allergens permit the study of the pattern of sensitization to individual allergens. We aimed to quantify the IgE-response to individual latex allergens in children sensitized to latex. The study group included 31 latex-sensitized children: 26 operated at least twice, 20 of them with spina bifida; two children with one operation and three atopic non-operated children.

Montelukast improves pulmonary function measured by impulse oscillometry in children with asthma (Mio study).

Background: Systemic drugs-like oral montelukast can reach lower airways, whose inflammation plays a crucial role in the evolution of asthma, while inhaled drugs hardly reach them. The impulse oscillometry (IOS) technique is useful to evaluate both central and peripheral airways function.

Objective: To measure the effect of oral montelukast on airways resistance evaluated by oscillometry in children with asthma.

Influence of the type of operations on the development of latex sensitization in children with myelomeningocele.

Background: A genetic tendency to develop latex IgE responses in children with spina bifida has been suggested, but their degree of exposure to latex as well as the route and chronology for sensitization can be different from those of other children with multiple surgeries. The aim was to study the influence of the type of operation on the development of latex sensitization in children with myelomeningocele.

Methods: In 90 children with myelomeningocele operated with latex, data were collected about age, sex, family, and personal history of allergy, serum total IgE, presence of a ventricular-peritoneal (v-p) shunt, and number and duration of operations, classified as urological, orthopedic, on the v-p shunt, other neurosurgical, and others.

Efficacy of latex avoidance for primary prevention of latex sensitization in children with spina bifida.

Over 6 years, the prevalence of latex sensitization fell from 4/15 (26.7%) to 1/22 (4.5%) in children with spina bifida treated in a latex-free environment from birth compared with historic controls.