Did you know that if you introduce a child to peanuts early, they are less likely to develop a peanut allergy? A recent study has shown that by giving children peanut-containing foods before their first birthday, the risk of developing a peanut allergy is reduced by up to 80 percent.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, followed 535 children from birth until they were five years old. Of the children studied, 23 percent developed a peanut allergy. However, when infants who were at high risk for a peanut allergy were given peanut products before they turned one year old, only 14 percent developed a peanut allergy. This suggests that early introduction to peanuts can help reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy.
This is great news for parents, as peanut allergies are becoming more and more common. They are the most common food allergy in children, affecting about 25% of those with a food allergy, and are a leading cause of allergy-related death in children. If you have a child who is not yet one year old, consider asking your doctor if they recommend introducing them to peanuts. These findings could mean big changes for the way we prevent peanut allergies from developing.