Episodic stridor with latex nipple use in a 2-month-old infant

Latex allergy in the pediatric population is most commonly identified in patients who have undergone multiple operations for neural tube defects or exstrophic genitourinary anomalies. However, there are a significant number of children who, without the usual risk factors, clinically and/or serologically appear to be latex allergic. There is sporadic information in the medical literature regarding reactions to latex allergens in household items, especially in patients younger than 1 year old. Several recent reports even support the existence of reactions to latex pacifiers. We report a case of an atopic 2-month-old infant who experienced the previously unreported reaction of repeated stridor on exposure to a latex nipple while feeding. It is important that clinicians recognize stridor as a potential reaction to latex in infants. [Freishtat RJ, Goepp JGK. Episodic stridor with latex nipple use in a 2-month-old infant. Ann Emerg Med. April 2002;39:441-443.]