Parents should introduce their children to peanut products from the age of four months to prevent allergies, experts say.
The number of people allergic to peanuts has tripled in the last few decades, and in severe cases the consequences can be fatal.
About one in 50 children are affected today, leading to lifelong concerns about the ingredients in their food.
However, British researchers have discovered a “window of opportunity” between four and six months, which they say is the best time to introduce babies to peanuts.
And it can reduce the incidence of peanut allergies by up to 77 percent, they said.
Experts found that introducing peanut products to babies aged four and six months reduced the incidence of peanut allergies later in life by 77 percent (stock photo)
The team, from King’s College London and the University of Southampton, said most peanut allergies have already developed by the time a child turns one year old.
They examined data from the investigation into tolerance (EAT) and Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) studies.
The Leap study enrolled 640 infants at high risk of developing peanut allergy and examined the early introduction of peanut products.
More than 1,300 three-month-old babies were recruited to the Eat project in England and Wales. They were followed for several years to study the early introduction of six allergenic foods: milk, peanuts, sesame, fish, eggs and wheat.
An analysis published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that it is best to introduce peanut products to babies aged four to six months.
It can reduce the incidence of peanut allergies by 77 percent, compared to just 33 percent if peanuts are introduced when the child is one year old.
Babies at higher risk of developing an allergy — for example, if they already have eczema — should be started closer to four months, she added.
The NHS currently says nuts and peanuts can be introduced from around six months of age, as long as they are crushed, ground or a smooth nut or peanut butter.
Based on their findings, the scientists are urging the government to review the latest evidence.
Lead author Professor Graham Roberts said: “Current guidelines suggest that peanuts should be introduced from around six months of age.
The last government report on the introduction of foods in baby diets was published in 2018. Since then, a number of studies have been published suggesting that introducing peanuts and other foods earlier can help prevent allergies.
“We believe the government should review current guidelines on the introduction of peanuts in baby diets. In our opinion, peanuts should be introduced earlier when babies are developing to be ready for solid food.’
He explained that a peanut allergy occurs when the body perceives peanuts as something dangerous and reacts to them.
“The reaction can affect your whole body – your lips can swell, you can get an itchy rash and you can have trouble breathing,” he said.
“A baby’s immune system must learn to distinguish between food and dangerous insects that must be kept out of the body.
“The body does this by the way it sees things. If he sees peanuts in reasonable quantities in his gut, he will consider them a safe food and not develop an allergy.”
Pediatric nutritionist Mary Feeney, from King’s College London, said her findings suggest that giving babies a large teaspoon of peanut butter three times a week is the recommended amount to reduce the chances of them becoming allergic to it.
She warned never to give whole or chopped nuts to babies or young children as they could choke.
And babies need to be developmentally ready to start solid foods when peanut products are introduced, she added.
Professor Gideon Lack from King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said: “The benefits of introducing peanut products into babies’ diets diminish as they get older.
“This reflects the experience in Israel, a culture where peanut products are typically introduced early in children’s diets and peanut allergies are rare.
“There is a small chance of preventing the development of an allergy.
“Introducing peanut products at four to six months of age can significantly reduce the number of children who develop peanut allergy.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.