Food allergies currently affect 4-6% of kids in the United States, according to the CDC. As most parents know, food allergies are dangerous for allergic children in schools and daycares. Something as seemingly harmless as a PB&J can end in danger and emergency. However, new research shows that we may be able to combat peanut allergies early on in development.
Early Peanut Introduction
In recent news, the American Academy of Pediatrics News came out with a study discussing early peanut introduction. Researchers found that introducing peanut products to infants early on may help to prevent allergies.
Analysis in the study found that feeding infants peanut products early on does not harm nutrition or breastfeeding. Furthermore, early peanut consumption had no negative effect on growth and nutrition.
Additionally, in a LEAP study, researchers studied peanut consumption and the length of time that children breastfed. The researchers found that the length of time breastfed was the same for peanut consumers and the control group (non-peanut consumers). They also found that energy intake, height, weight, and body mass index were the same for both groups. These data suggest that early peanut consumption may be completely harmless.
Going Forward
Guidelines are being developed to introduce peanut products into the diets of 4- to 11-month-olds. Due to the present risk that some infants are already allergic, research suggests that infants with other allergic diseases (eczema, egg allergies) be evaluated by an allergist. An allergist may also observe the infant during peanut consumption to limit risk factors.
As more information from research is revealed, we can better analyze and treat infants and children for their peanut allergies. In the future, research of this kind may also point to ways we can treat other food allergies as well. Click over to our Minimize Food Allergies blog to find out more.
Gently Introduce Allergens
There are many products that slowly introduce your infant to allergens starting at the age of 4 months. These products typically come in a packet that goes into your baby’s bottle. They contain small amounts of common allergens to safely introduce to your child.
We like Ready, Set, Food! products and SpoonfulOne products. Click over to their website for more information on their products and the research that backs them.
At Growing Healthy Together, we like to refer our parents of allergic kids to Dr. Steven Meltzer, a pediatrician and allergist in Long Beach. Dr. Meltzer can be a great aid to parents struggling with food allergies. For more questions or comments, respond to this blog or contact us!
