What percentage of individuals with spina bifida have latex allergy?

• A. 25 Percent
• B. 50 Percent
• C. Up To 73 Percent
• D. 90 Percent

Answer: (C)

Latex allergy is much more common in people with spina bifida than in the general population because of repeated exposure to latex-containing products during medical care (surgeries, catheters, gloves, and other devices) especially in those with more severe forms and longer medical histories. This continual exposure can lead to immune sensitization and the development of an IgE-mediated allergy over time. In groups with heavy latex exposure, the prevalence can be very high, and estimates in such cohorts have reached around three-quarters of individuals. That upper range—about 73 percent—captures the substantial risk seen in those with frequent latex contact, which is why it’s the best benchmark among the options. Clinically, this underscores the importance of latex-free environments and proactive allergy assessment to prevent severe reactions during medical care.