Early Peanut Introduction Could Help Reduce Allergies in Children, New Research Suggests
Exposing children to peanuts between 4 to 11 months of age, rather than waiting until age 3 as previously recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, appears to be significantly reducing the number of peanut allergy diagnoses. This finding comes from a study published in the journal *Pediatrics*.
According to Dr. David Hill, M.D., Ph.D., from the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “New onset peanut allergy dropped by 43% in kids under 3.” Dr. Hill, one of the study’s authors, also noted that new-onset food allergies overall decreased by 36% in this age group.
Peanut allergies are a major cause of serious allergic reactions in children. These reactions occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to peanuts by producing a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
The LEAP trial—a landmark clinical study—influenced changes in clinical practice. It found that for infants with severe eczema or an egg allergy, introducing peanuts between 4 and 11 months of age could reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy by 81%.
Following the LEAP trial, leading pediatric allergy and immunology organizations revised their guidelines in 2015 and 2017, allowing early peanut introduction for high-risk children. In 2021, the guidelines were updated again to encourage the introduction of peanuts, eggs, and other major food allergens as early as 4 to 6 months for all children, including those without any prior allergic reactions.
Dr. Susan Schuval, chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York, who was not involved in the study, explained, “It just seems like there’s this window of tolerance during early infancy. If we introduce these foods during that window, we can help prevent food allergies.”
She added, “If you wait until after that window, the child will be more predisposed to having a food allergy.”
Positive Outcomes from Revised Guidelines
Dr. Hill and his team analyzed electronic health records from multiple clinics across several states to evaluate the effects of the revised guidelines from 2015 and 2017. Their findings show promising results in reducing peanut allergies, although the study did not include the most recent 2021 guideline updates.
In summary, early introduction of peanuts during the infant window of tolerance is proving to be an effective strategy in curbing peanut allergies in children. This approach represents a shift in pediatric allergy prevention and offers hope for reducing food allergy incidence nationwide.
https://www.foxnews.com/health/common-food-allergy-plummets-nationwide-after-experts-recommend-bold-new-approach