Over the past decade, the prevalence of peanut allergies has exponentially increased. For parents, children, families, physicians and teachers, there is significant frustration because the reason for this is still unknown. There are many theories however, but nothing that is overwhelmingly responsible. I will table this topic for another day. Back to the actual allergy to, rather than the cause - with this increase, peanuts are getting a lot of attention in the food allergy community and with that comes a lot of studies using them. One in particular, is known as the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut) study. The study parameters, subjects and results were released in Q1 of 2015.
WHO: The subjects were infants (less than one year old) that were considered high-risk. High-risk equated to the infant having severe eczema (as described by the parent(s)), having a confirmed egg allergy or both.
WHAT: Some subjects will strictly avoid peanut protein until 60 months of age. The other group will receive peanut protein, regularly in their diet, multiple times per week until the age of 60 months.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Subjects were further stratified by sensitivity to peanut evidenced by a skin-prick test. Subjects experiencing a severe reaction to peanut at this point were dismissed from the study since they would likely be unable to consume the weekly requirement of peanut protein.
CONCLUSION: The results were remarkable. High-risk (eczema and/or egg allergic) infants showing mild sensitivity to peanuts or no sensitivity to peanuts via a skin-prick test that regularly ingested peanut protein until 60 months of age had a dramatically lower chance of developing an allergy to peanut when compared to the strict avoidance group. There small window of opportunity to potentially change the infants sensitivity to peanut protein.
Ultimately what this study illustrated went against the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendation to delay peanuts. The AAP has since revised their stance on the introduction of peanuts in high-risk infants.
In summary, at the earliest signs of eczema and/or egg allergy, an infant should be tested for a peanut allergy. If negative, introduce peanut products and have infant/child regularly consume following the LEAP protocol of at least two grams three times per week indefinitely. If positive, complete the initial introduction of peanuts under medical supervision.
WHO: The subjects were infants (less than one year old) that were considered high-risk. High-risk equated to the infant having severe eczema (as described by the parent(s)), having a confirmed egg allergy or both.
WHAT: Some subjects will strictly avoid peanut protein until 60 months of age. The other group will receive peanut protein, regularly in their diet, multiple times per week until the age of 60 months.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Subjects were further stratified by sensitivity to peanut evidenced by a skin-prick test. Subjects experiencing a severe reaction to peanut at this point were dismissed from the study since they would likely be unable to consume the weekly requirement of peanut protein.
CONCLUSION: The results were remarkable. High-risk (eczema and/or egg allergic) infants showing mild sensitivity to peanuts or no sensitivity to peanuts via a skin-prick test that regularly ingested peanut protein until 60 months of age had a dramatically lower chance of developing an allergy to peanut when compared to the strict avoidance group. There small window of opportunity to potentially change the infants sensitivity to peanut protein.
Ultimately what this study illustrated went against the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendation to delay peanuts. The AAP has since revised their stance on the introduction of peanuts in high-risk infants.
In summary, at the earliest signs of eczema and/or egg allergy, an infant should be tested for a peanut allergy. If negative, introduce peanut products and have infant/child regularly consume following the LEAP protocol of at least two grams three times per week indefinitely. If positive, complete the initial introduction of peanuts under medical supervision.
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