New guidelines for preventing peanut allergy in babies
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In 2015, a study showed that giving peanut products to babies could help prevent peanut allergy. This was exciting news, given that 1-2% of children suffer from peanut allergy, an allergy that can not only be life-threatening but last a lifetime, unlike other food allergies that often improve as children get older.
This is a change for pediatricians and parents, who traditionally have thought that peanut products shouldn’t be given until children are a bit older. It’s also tricky in that babies can choke on peanuts and peanut butter. And to make it even trickier, the study cautioned that some babies at higher risk of peanut allergy might need testing before trying out peanut products. So it is great news that the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out with a guideline that gives specific guidance to pediatricians on how to implement the findings of the study.
The guideline divides babies into three groups:
babies with severe eczema (persistent or recurrent eczema with a frequent need for prescription creams) and/or egg allergy
babies with mild to moderate eczema
babies without eczema or food allergy.
Testing for peanut allergy is recommended for the first group. Skin prick testing is best, but a blood test can be done also. If the testing shows allergy, the baby should see a specialist to discuss giving peanut products. Most babies can get them, but it needs to be done carefully and in small amounts. The first time should be in a doct...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Claire McCarthy, MD Tags: Asthma and Allergies Children's Health Parenting Prevention Source Type: blogs