Introducing Peanuts and Eggs Early Reduces Food Allergy Risks in Infants

Recent research underscores the importance of early introduction of common allergenic foods such as peanuts and eggs to infants, demonstrating a significant reduction in the risk of developing potentially life-threatening food allergies. According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, families who introduced peanut butter and eggs around six months of age observed a marked decrease in allergy incidence compared to those who delayed introduction beyond ten months.

The study, conducted by researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia, analyzed two groups of infants: one cohort born between 2006 and 2014, who received no specific feeding advice and introduced allergenic foods later, and another cohort born between 2016 and 2022, where parents were provided with updated guidelines promoting early introduction at six months. All infants studied had a first-degree relative with a history of allergic disease.

Findings revealed that in the group following the new guidelines, the prevalence of egg allergy dropped from 12% to just 3%, and peanut allergy reduced from 6% to 1%. These results strongly support the updated Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) guidelines, which advocate for early allergen exposure to prevent allergies.

Dr. Debra J. Palmer, a key author, emphasized that the evidence from randomized controlled trials worldwide, including their own research, confirms the benefits of early allergen introduction. Despite this, some parents remain unsure about the appropriate timing, especially those with a family history of allergies.

The study further demonstrated that distributing printed guidelines directly to parents and caregivers significantly increased adherence to early introduction practices. This approach could be pivotal in reducing allergy rates across communities. Healthcare professionals, including child health nurses and general practitioners, are encouraged to share these recommendations widely.

This shift in infant feeding practices offers a promising strategy in allergy prevention, empowering parents with evidence-based guidance to improve children’s health outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-evidence-introduction-peanuts-eggs-allergy.html