Study: Peanut Allergies Decline in Children After Recommendation Change 

I can actually come to you today and say there are less kids with food allergy today than there would have been if we hadn’t implemented this public health effort.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia allergist Dr. David Hill, commenting on a new study that shows introducing peanuts early in childhood may have led to a nationwide decrease in peanut allergies.

Why It Matters: A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that following updated food allergy guidelines may have reduced peanut allergies in children by 43%. Recent recommendations suggest exposing children to small doses of peanuts beginning as young as four months old. The change was first suggested in 2015 and expanded in 2017. The study used health records of 40,000 children and cautions that more expansive research is needed to confirm the trend. 

Interesting To Note: “The new study emphasizes the current guidance, updated in 2021, which calls for introducing peanuts and other major food allergens between four and six months, without prior screening or testing, Hill said. Parents should consult their pediatricians about any questions.” (CBS) 

Learn More: 

• Some 60,000 kids have avoided peanut allergies due to landmark 2015 advice, study finds (CBS) 
• Study shows peanut allergy decrease from early introduction guidelines (ABC)