Allergic Children Exposed To Peanuts At Younger Ages

Filed in archive Food Allergies on December 7, 2007

According to latest reports, children nowadays are exposed to and get their first reaction to peanuts at a much younger age, despite despite recommendations that at-risk families avoid exposing children to peanuts until they turn three.

In a study of peanut-allergic patients between 2000 and 2006, the median age of first peanut exposure and reaction were 14 and 18 months, respectively. In a similar population of patients studied from 1995 to 1997, researchers found that the median age of first exposure and reaction were 22 and 24 months, respectively.

At the same time, the researchers noted the increasing prevalence of peanut allergies among children today. That's not to say that one is causing the other, or that they are at all related, as it is still unclear whether early or delayed introduction of peanuts actually promotes tolerance or prevents peanut allergy.

Still, if you know that you child has a comparatively high probability of having food allergies (e.g. parents have history of allergies), isn't it wise to delay exposure? In case a reaction is indeed triggered, I think it is much easier to observe in a 3-yr old, who can already speak and complain of any discomfort, compared to a toddler of 14 months.