Introducing peanuts early may help reduce allergies in children, new research suggests.
Giving children peanuts at 4 to 11 months of age, rather than waiting until they are 3 years old, as previously recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, appears to reduce peanut numbers. Diagnosis of peanut allergysuggests a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
“New-onset peanut allergies in children under 3 years of age have decreased by 43%,” Dr. David Hill, director of allergy and immunology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told FOX News Digital.
For the first time in the world, more children are obese than underweight
Hill, one of the study authors, said that new onset food allergy There was an overall decrease of 36% in that age group.
Peanuts are one of the main culprits severe allergic reaction Among the children. These reactions occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to peanuts by producing a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which can cause anaphylaxis, a severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction, researchers noted in a news release.
Approximately 4% of children have this type of food allergy, which can cause hives, difficulty breathing, swelling, and vomiting. Experts told Fox News Digital that these symptoms can be immediate and life-threatening.
In addition to peanuts, other common food allergens include milk, eggs, and wheat, according to the report.
Prior to 2015, it was standard to warn parents about peanut exposure in children under 3 years of age. And in 2015, the landmark Early Learning on Peanut Allergy (LEAP) trial changed clinical practice.
This study found that for infants with severe eczema or egg allergy, introducing peanuts between 4 and 11 months of age can reduce the risk of peanut allergy by 81%.
Based on the LEAP trial, leading organizations in pediatric allergy and immunology revised their clinical practice guidelines in 2015 and 2017 to allow early exposure to peanuts for high-risk children.
Health experts say the guidelines will be updated again in 2021 to encourage all children to be introduced to peanuts, eggs and other major food allergens as early as 4 to 6 months of age, even those without a history of past reactions.
“Apparently there is room for tolerance in early childhood. introduced food During that time, we can prevent food allergies,” Dr. Susan Seval, chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York, told FOX News Digital.
Eating blueberries early in life may alleviate allergies and strengthen immunity, new study finds
“If you wait until after that period, the child is more likely to develop food allergies,” added Schuval, who was not involved in the study.
Hill and his research team focused on the impact of revised clinical practice guidelines in 2015 and 2017, but did not include the 2021 revisions. They analyzed electronic medical records from multiple clinics in several states to determine whether the policy changes were having an effect.
For at least two years after the 2015 guidance, the study found peanut allergies decreased by 27% and food allergies decreased by 38%.
In this analysis, egg allergies were more common than peanut allergies.
After the 2017 guidance change, peanut allergies among children observed for at least one year decreased by 43%, and overall food allergies decreased by 36% (compared to pre-2015 guidance). researchers found.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
“Everyone is wondering whether these innovative public health interventions have had an impact on reducing the incidence of IgE-mediated food allergies in the United States,” said lead author Stanisław Gabryszewski, MD, attending physician in the Department of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We now have data that suggests the effectiveness of this landmark. public health Interventions are being taken,” she added.
“We hope that our findings will help spread that awareness,” Hill told Fox News Digital. Early allergen introduction It’s safe and effective. ”
Although early exposure does not completely eliminate allergies to peanuts or other foods, it does reduce the rate of food allergy diagnosis, the researchers said. They also emphasized the importance of consistent early adoption in clinical practice.
Test yourself with our latest lifestyle quiz
“Our findings are relevant [for] we who treat patients [and] “More awareness, education, and advocacy among those who care for infants and infants could further enhance the positive outcomes observed in this study,” Hill said.
Not all parents may be happy with these revised guidelines, health experts told Fox News Digital.
“While not everyone is following these guidelines, this is further evidence that this early adoption is effective in preventing food allergies,” Cheval said.
For more health stories, click here
Parents are encouraged to consult their pediatrician with any concerns before introducing potential food allergens.
Hill added that future research is needed to investigate how the timing, dosage, and frequency of exposure can further prevent food allergies.
