Does Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods Prevent Childhood Allergy?

In a general population of breast-fed infants, introducing allergenic foods at age 3 months versus after 6 months did not significantly reduce risk.

Based on positive findings for prevention of peanut allergy with early peanut introduction in children with high risk for allergy (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Apr 2015 and N Engl J Med 2015; 372:803 and NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Mar 4 2016; [e-pub] and N Engl J Med 2016 Mar 4; [e-pub]), U.K. researchers examined whether early introduction of other allergenic foods in a general population of infants might also be protective.

Investigators randomized 1300 exclusively breast-fed infants to introduction of allergenic foods (milk [first], peanut, egg, sesame, fish, and wheat [last]) either at 3 or after 6 months of age. Parents reported consumption data via online questionnaire, and peanut-protein levels were measured from bed dust at 3 and 12 …

Reviewing Author

Christine Judge

Does Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods Prevent Childhood Allergy?

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Reviewing Author