A decade after a landmark study proved that feeding peanut products to young babies could prevent development of life-threatening allergies, new research finds the change has made a big difference in the real world.
About 60,000 children have avoided developing peanut allergies after guidance first issued in 2015 upended medical practice by recommending introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months.
Dr. David Hill, an allergist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, emphasized the significance of this finding, stating, That’s a remarkable thing, right? He added that there are fewer children with food allergies now than there would have been without this health initiative.
The researchers' analysis found that peanut allergies in children aged 0 to 3 declined by more than 27% following the 2015 guidance and by over 40% after recommendations were expanded in 2017.
Despite the positive trends, food allergies in the U.S. continue to rise, affecting about 8% of children; over 2% are specifically allergic to peanuts. This crisis has prompted advocacy for early introduction of allergens as a key preventative measure.
The initial 2015 study by Gideon Lack demonstrated that early exposure can reduce future allergy risks by over 80%, leading to new guidelines urging the practice.
Parents and medical professionals alike have faced challenges implementing this guidance due to previous beliefs about delaying allergen introduction. However, evidence suggests that early exposure is effective and safe.
Tiffany Leon, a registered dietitian, has applied this evidence-based approach in feeding her children new allergenic foods at a young age, highlighting a cultural shift in understanding the introduction of peanuts.
As the medical community continues to adapt these guidelines and share information, this research offers hope for improving the lives of millions suffering from food allergies.
