Parents should introduce their children to peanut products from the age of four months to prevent allergies, experts say.
The number of people suffering from allergic reactions to peanuts has tripled in the past few decades, and in severe cases, the consequences can be fatal.
About one in 50 children is now affected, leading to lifelong concerns about the ingredients in their food.
But British researchers have discovered a “window of opportunity” between the ages of four and six months, which they say is the best time to introduce babies to peanuts.
And this could reduce the occurrence 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 image).
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 Inquiring About Tolerance (EAT) and Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) studies.
The Leap study enrolled 640 babies considered at high risk of developing peanut allergy and examined the early introduction of peanut products.
The Eat Project has recruited more than 1,300 three-month-old babies in England and Wales. They were followed over several years to study the early introduction of six allergenic foods – milk, peanut, sesame, fish, egg and wheat.
An analysis published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that it is best to introduce peanut products to babies between four and six months of age.
This could reduce the occurrence 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, they added.
The NHS currently says nuts and peanuts can be brought in 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 guidance suggests that peanuts should be introduced from around six months of age.
“The last government report on the introduction of food into the diet of babies was published in 2018. Since then, a number of studies have been published suggesting that introducing peanuts and other foods earlier may help prevent allergies from developing.
“We think the government should review current guidance on introducing peanuts into babies’ diets. In our view, peanuts should be introduced earlier when infants are developmentally ready for solid foods.’
He explained that a peanut allergy occurs when the body mistakes peanuts for something dangerous and reacts to them.
“The reaction can affect your whole body — your lips may swell, you may get an itchy rash, and you may have trouble breathing,” he said.
“A baby’s immune system needs to learn to distinguish between food and dangerous insects that need to be kept out of the body.
“The body does this through the way it sees things. If it sees peanuts in reasonably large amounts in the gut, it will consider this a safe food and will not develop an allergy.”
Pediatric nutritionist Mary Feeney, of King’s College London, said her findings suggest that giving babies a heaping 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 preschoolers as they could choke.
And babies should be developmentally ready to start solid foods when peanut products are introduced, she added.
Professor Gideon Lack of 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 commonly introduced early in infant nutrition and peanut allergies are rare.
“There is a narrow window of opportunity to prevent the development of an allergy.
“Introducing peanut products at four to six months of age could significantly reduce the number of children who develop peanut allergy.”
Nine-year-old girl first to benefit from life-changing treatment for peanut allergy
Emily Pratt, nine, was one of the first children in Europe to receive Palforzia, an immunotherapy pill that helps reduce the severity of symptoms including anaphylaxis following a reaction to peanuts
Children with peanut allergies across the country will be the first in Europe to receive life-changing treatment.
NHS England has struck a deal for Palforzia, an immunotherapy pill that helps reduce the severity of symptoms including anaphylaxis following a reaction to peanuts.
Evelina London Children’s Hospital participated in two large peanut allergy studies – the Palisade and Artemis studies.
Sophie Pratt said her family’s life changed after her nine-year-old daughter, Emily, attended the Palisade trial.
She said: “Participating in the clinical study has changed the lives of our entire family. The treatment we received has left Emily free of boundaries and the fear that the slightest mistake could put her life at risk, and it has removed all the tension and worry that the simple act of eating every day takes us floated.
“It was particularly noticeable on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas and bank holidays, where there are often special foods such as cakes, ice cream and treats, all of which are invariably accompanied by warnings ‘may contain peanuts’ or non-English menus.
“Since the trial, Emily has been able to go to parties and playdates with confidence, eat at restaurants without us having to call ahead to check the menu, and we’ve managed to take her first vacation abroad to New York and even attend feedings.” Taking part in zoo experiences is Emily’s passion.
“We couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Artemis study found that about six out of 10 four- to 17-year-olds who responded to about 10 g of peanut protein at the start of the study were able to end up ingesting a 1,000 mg dose of it, well above the level of accidental exposure .
Up to 600 children aged four to 17 are expected to be treated this year, with those in England becoming the first in Europe thanks to a deal struck by the NHS. After that, about 2,000 are treated each year.
Peanut allergy currently affects one in 50 children in the UK.
NHS Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “This breakthrough treatment has the potential to transform the lives of patients and their families and thanks to the NHS agreement, people here will be the first in Europe to benefit.
“It will reduce anxiety and worry for patients and their families who may have been living with this allergy for years and are carrying emergency medication with them just in case.
“They should be able to enjoy meals together or holidays abroad without worrying about an allergic reaction that could land them in the hospital or worse.”
Professor George du Toit, Child Allergy Advisor at Evelina London, was the UK lead investigator for both studies.
He said: “This is great news for children and young people with peanut allergies. The approval of Palforzia represents a significant step forward in improving care for people with allergies, and we will now have access to the first treatment approved to reduce the severity of this allergy and prevent accidental contact with peanuts protection.
“This will have a tremendous impact on the daily lives of our patients and their families.”
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