It is true that babies can be sensitized to
peanuts and tree nuts in utero and via
breastfeeding. If there is any family history of
these allergies, it is prudent for a mother to
avoid them in her diet during pregnancy and while
breastfeeding.
The British government issued a recommendation in
1998 advising women to avoid peanuts and tree
nuts during pregnancy and lactation if there is
any family history of atopy.
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/316/7149/1926/a
This 1996 study in the BMJ
<http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/313/7056/518>
found that peanut allergies were becoming more
common and turning up in younger and younger
children. An informal survey mentioned in the
paper indicates that mothers seem to be eating
more peanuts while pregnant and nursing than
mothers in the past had done.
This abstract of a 1999 study says, "We found
that mothers who consumed peanuts more than once
a week during pregnancy were more likely to have
a peanut allergic child than mothers who consumed
peanuts less than once a week (odds ratio=3.97,
98% confidence interval 0.73-24). Š Exclusive
breast feeding did not protect against the
development of peanut sensitization. Peanut
allergy is associated with an increased risk of
sensitization to other foods. It is more likely
to occur if mothers eat peanuts more frequently
during pregnancy and introduce it early to the
infant's diet. These features highlight
potentially avoidable factors that might prevent
sensitization."
<http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/servlet/useragent?func=synergy&synergyAction=showAbstract&doi=10.1034/j.1399-3038.1999.101010.x>
One study that I came across
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12637607&dopt=Abstract>
found that peanut allergy was independently
associated with intake of soy formula or soy
milk. This study did not find a correlation
between peanut consumption during pregnancy and
peanut allergy in children.
I have shared my personal story on this subject
in the past but will briefly recap: my first
baby had anaphylactic reactions to nut proteins
via my milk at the ages of 9 mos and 17 mos. I
am not allergic to any nuts (though my husband is
senstive to some kinds) and had eaten them
frequently throughout pregnancy and nursing prior
to the first indication of allergy in my baby.
He clearly became sensitized in utero and/or thru
my milk. I did not know that this was something
I should be paying attention to.
I completely agree that we do not want to make
breastfeeding more complicated or burdensome by
telling mothers that they should follow
restricted diets. However, some caution around
peanuts and tree nuts is warranted.
Margaret
mom of 3, LLLL
Longmont, CO
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