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Update on Early Introduction of Peanut to Prevent Allergy Development: Challenges with Implementation

  • Food Allergy (E Kim, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes the evidence leading towards the development of new guidelines that recommend early introduction of peanut to prevent the development of peanut allergy. It also reviews the current understanding of challenges faced with implementation of these recommendations on a widespread basis.

Recent Findings

Prior recommendations to avoid feeding allergenic foods to infants have been updated and reversed. This paradigm shift in advice has created an opportunity on a population level to try and halt the recent increase in prevalence of peanut allergy. However, challenges with implementation of these new guidelines exist in many areas.

Summary

While evidence supports the early introduction of peanut to prevent allergy development, the application and challenges faced with these recommendations are not fully understood. Persistent efforts from pediatricians and allergists, as well as acceptance from parents, will be necessary in order to make a significant impact on the prevalence of peanut allergy.

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Abbreviations

EAT:

enquiring about tolerance

IgE:

immunoglobulin E

LEAP:

learning early about peanut

NIAID:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease

OFC:

oral food challenge

PDSA:

Plan Do Study Act

QI:

quality improvement

SPT:

skin prick test

UK:

United Kingdom

US:

United States

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 700 Children’s Drive, ED – 6022, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Irene Mikhail, Ben T. Prince & David R. Stukus

Authors
  1. Irene Mikhail
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  2. Ben T. Prince
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  3. David R. Stukus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David R. Stukus.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Stukus was a member of the expert panel and coauthor of the 2017 NIAID Addendum guidelines for early introduction of peanut to prevent allergy. This was unpaid and his role does not serve as a conflict of interest. Drs. Mikhail and Prince declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Food Allergy

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Mikhail, I., Prince, B.T. & Stukus, D.R. Update on Early Introduction of Peanut to Prevent Allergy Development: Challenges with Implementation. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 19, 51 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-019-0884-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-019-0884-0

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