can kids outgrow a peanut allergy?

By: Dr. Patricia Abboud

There is a lot of focus on peanut allergies for children (and rightfully so!). The risk is greater for accidental exposure that can happen outside the watchful eye of mom or dad. I’ve blogged on the topic before with wonderful response from our followers. I felt compelled to share with you some exciting breakthrough research.

Did you EVER think that your child could be DESESITIZED to peanuts? You know..outgrow the allergy?

Several researchers believe so and are challenging the idea that peanuts should be avoided the first year of life.

In a study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers in Britain studied over 600 children with peanut allergies.

• The children were 4-11 months old and considered high risk of developing peanut allergy because of eczema or egg allergy.
• Those highly allergic to peanuts by skin testing were excluded and NOT considered a safe population to participate in the study.
• Half the group avoided peanuts, the other group ate a small amount of peanut protein every week.
• The children were followed for 5 years.
• The kids eating peanuts had 81% LESS peanut allergies than the kids that AVOIDED the peanut protein.
• Pediatric allergists are now encouraging evaluation of children with a designated peanut allergy to be evaluated for the introduction of peanut protein.

In the US at Texas Children’s a similar study has been underway since 2014. The goal of their study is to find a way to LOWER the risk of severe allergic reactions in patients and eventually get rid of the allergy completely.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician about what options you may have for your children. NEVER attempt desensitizing measures on your own as they can be life threatening.

If successful at ‘overcoming’ such a predominant allergy, this may be a life changing therapy.

New England Journal of Medicine Article

By: Dr. Patricia Abboud

Dr. Abboud is a pediatric intensivist at Dayton Children’s and the mother of three kids. As part of the “Dr. Mom Squad,” Dr. Abboud blogs about her experiences as both as doctor and a mom and hopes to share insight to other parents on issues related to both parenting and kids health.