Posted by Signature Medical Group on Thursday, January 5, 2017 in Allergy and Immunology
Most babies should start eating foods containing peanuts well before their first birthday, new guidelines from the National Institutes of Health say.
The guidelines aim to protect high-risk tots and other youngsters from developing the dangerous food allergy, affecting about 2 percent of U.S. children.
At Signature Medical Group, our allergists and immunologists keep up on the latest recommendations and treatment in giving our patients comprehensive care.
Our team strives to educate children and adults with asthma, allergies, and other immune system diseases. We can help you to overcome these symptoms and provide care with an open line of communication and easy access to your patient information.
The new U.S. guidelines on peanut allergies mark a shift in dietary advice, based on landmark research that found early exposure dramatically lowers a baby’s chances of becoming allergic.
The recommendations spell out exactly how to introduce infants to peanut-based foods and when - for some, as early as 4 to 11 months of age — depending on whether they’re at high, moderate or low risk of developing the food allergy.
Babies at high risk - because they have a severe form of eczema or egg allergies - need an evaluation (checkup) before any peanut exposure, and might get their first taste in the doctor’s office.
For other tots, most parents can start adding foods containing peanuts to the diet much like they already introduced oatmeal or mushed peas, the recommendations say.
The recommendations follow results of the Immune Tolerance Network's "Learning Early About Peanuts'' (LEAP) study discussed in 2015 at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's annual meeting.
If you have more questions, our experts at Signature Medical Group will be glad to help. Make an appointment today to make sure you and your children stay in good health.
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