How feeding children peanuts early 'reduces the risk of developing an allergy'

A study found that feeding infants at least 6g of peanut protein per week protects them against the development of the immune reaction.

18:10 24 February 2015

A recent study has claimed that feeding young children small amounts of peanut protein per week reduces the risk of developing an allergy. This study overturns traditional medical advice on how to avoid the potential fatal condition.

The researchers monitored 600 infants aged between four and 11 months who were at high risk of developing peanut allergies. They found that feeding them at least 6g of peanut protein per week protected them against the development of the immune reaction.

Professor Gideon Lack, of King’s College London, said: “For decades, allergists have been recommending that young infants avoid consuming allergenic foods such as peanut to prevent food allergies.

“Our findings suggest that this advice was incorrect and may have contributed to the rise of peanut and other food allergies.

“This is an important clinical development and contravenes previous guidelines.

“While these were withdrawn in 2008 in the UK and US, our study suggests that new guidelines may be needed to reduce the rate of peanut allergy in our children.

“The study also excluded infants showing early strong signs of having already developed peanut allergy; the safety and effectiveness of early peanut consumption in this group remains unknown and requires further study."