Early introduction of allergenic foods linked to fewer child allergies

A study of pediatric health records finds that rates of peanut and other food allergies among young children have fallen sharply since medical guidance began encouraging early introduction of allergenic foods. Researchers analyzing records from more than 125,000 children in nearly 50 pediatric practices report a 43 percent decline in peanut allergies and a 36 percent drop in IgE mediated food allergies among children under three, a change the authors estimate has prevented roughly 57,000 children from developing food allergies since new recommendations were issued.

The findings, published in Pediatrics, track diagnoses before, during, and after a series of shifts in clinical guidance that began with a landmark 2015 clinical trial. That trial showed introducing peanut products in infancy reduced the later risk of peanut allergy by more than 80 percent. National recommendations followed: in 2017 the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases adopted an early introduction approach and in 2021 federal guidance advised introducing common allergens between four and six months of age.

Lead author Dr. David Hill, an allergist and researcher, said the study provides real world...