TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2016 -- Introducing
babies to eggs or peanuts early on may help reduce their risk of food
allergies, a new analysis finds.
Researchers reviewed 146
previous studies that examined when babies were given foods that often
trigger reactions, as well as their risk of food allergies or autoimmune
diseases.
They discovered that the timing of food
introduction may affect allergy risk, but they found no similar link for
autoimmune disease.
The researchers reported with "moderate
certainty" that babies who were given eggs when they were 4 months to 6
months old had a lower egg allergy risk. And children given peanuts
between 4 months and 11 months of age had a lower peanut allergy risk
than those who were older.
The study, published Sept. 20 in the Journal
of the American Medical Association, said early introduction could head
off 24 cases of egg allergy per 1,000 people and 18 cases of peanut
allergy per 1,000 people.
The evidence was not as strong for early introduction of fish.
The researchers found low certainty that
giving a baby fish before 6 months to 12 months of age would reduce the
risk of nasal allergies or hay fever (allergic rhinitis). And they
reported very low certainty that doing so before 6 months to 9 months of
age would reduce their risk for food allergies.
The evidence surrounding gluten was clearer:
Timing does not appear to affect the likelihood of celiac disease, an
immune disorder that causes bowel damage.
Guidelines on food introduction have been
relaxed in recent years. Parents are no longer advised to delay offering
foods like eggs and peanuts to their children for fear of triggering
allergies, the study authors said.
More study would be needed before revising current guidelines, the authors said.
Dr. Matthew Greenhawt is an allergy specialist
at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, who wrote an editorial
accompanying the study.
"Delay of introduction of these foods may be
associated with some degree of potential harm, and early introduction of
selected foods appears to have a well-defined benefit," Greenhawt
wrote.
"These important points should resonate with
allergy specialists, primary care physicians, and other health care
professionals who care for infants, as well as obstetricians caring for
pregnant mothers, all of whom are important stakeholders in effectively
conveying the message that guidance to delay allergen introduction is
outdated," he said.
More information
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology provides more information on
food allergies.
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HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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