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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 30, 2008
Contact: Kimberly Jahnke
(414)272-6071
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New research: Early peanut consumption may prevent allergy
MILWAUKEE - New research casts doubt on government health recommendations
that infants and new mothers avoid eating peanuts to prevent development of
food allergy.
The study, published in the November issue of The Journal of Allergy and
Clinical Immunology, shows that children who avoided peanut in infancy and
early childhood were 10 times as likely to develop peanut allergy as those
who were exposed to peanut.
Researchers measured the incidence of peanut allergy in 8,600 Jewish
school-age children in the United Kingdom and Israel. They compared these
results with data on peanut consumption collected from mothers of infants
age 4 to 24 months.
Prevalence of peanut allergy in the United Kingdom was estimated at 1.85
percent, versus .17 percent in Israel.
"The most obvious difference in the diet of infants in both populations
occurs in the introduction of peanut," lead author George Du Toit, MD,
FAAAAI, wrote in the article. At 9 months of age, 69 percent of Israeli
children were eating peanut, compared to 10 percent of those in the U.K.
Dietary guidelines in the United Kingdom, Australia and - until earlier this
year - the United States advise avoidance of peanut consumption during
pregnancy, breastfeeding and infancy. While researchers suggest these
recommendations could be behind the increase in peanut allergy in these
countries, they cautioned that further evidence is needed before those
guidelines should be changed.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) cautions that
although the results are promising, they shouldn't translate to changes in
treatment just yet. There are a number of other factors that could account
for the difference in peanut allergy prevalence between the two countries.
"While this study's findings provide optimism for prevention of peanut
allergy in the future, randomized, controlled trials are needed to verify
that early introduction of peanut is indeed effective," said Jacqueline A.
Pongracic, MD, FAAAAI, vice chair of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods
Committee.
The Learning Early about Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study, a large randomized
study in the U.K., is currently testing the effects of early peanut
exposure.
Researchers selected the two Jewish populations due to their similar
genetics, rate of atopy, and environmental and socioeconomic backgrounds.
These similarities help eliminate other factors that could account for the
difference in peanut allergy rates.
Peanut allergy affects an estimated 3 million Americans, according to the
AAAAI. It is one of the most common triggers of anaphylaxis, a potentially
life-threatening reaction. The incidence of peanut allergy has been on the
rise in the United States, doubling in the five-year period from 1997-2002.
An allergist/immunologist is the best-qualified medical professional to
diagnose and treat food allergies and other allergic diseases. To locate an
allergist/immunologist, visit the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory at
www.aaaai.org/physref
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The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is the official scientific
journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists,
allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the
research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI
is the largest professional medical association in the asthma/immunology
specialty with nearly 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and 60
other countries.
###
Note: For a complete copy of the research article or to interview study
authors or other food allergies experts, please contact Kimberly Jahnke
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_________________________________________________
Dia L. Michels
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