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16% Drop in Peanut Allergies Among Children As Parents Follow Guidelines And Introduce Peanuts Earlier
Changes to food allergy guidelines has led to a 16% decrease in peanut allergy among infants, according to new study. The research, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), also found a significant increase in parents introducing peanut into their babies’ diet since the guideline changes. Introducing peanut early in a child’s life has […]
Health
Changes to food allergy guidelines has led to a 16% decrease in peanut allergy among infants, according to new study.
The research, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), also found a significant increase in parents introducing peanut into their babies’ diet since the guideline changes.
Introducing peanut early in a child’s life has been shown to prevent peanut allergy during randomized controlled trials. But MCRI PhD candidate and study lead author Victoria Soriano said this research was the first to test the approach in homes and to analyze what impact the guideline changes have had on peanut allergies.
International infant feeding guidelines changed in 2016 to recommend introduction of peanut and other allergenic foods before 12 months.
“In the 1990s some guidelines recommended avoiding allergenic foods until age 1-3 years and avoidance of these foods in infancy became widespread,” Ms Soriano said.
“By 2008, this advice started to be removed based on increasing evidence that delaying allergenic foods was associated with an increased food allergy risk. However, evidence was still insufficient for specific recommendations for what age these foods should be introduced.”