Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction

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Date
2024-12-19
Authors
Chan, Edmond S.
Abrams, Elissa M.
Mack, Douglas P.
Protudjer, Jennifer
Watson, Wade
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC
Abstract

Abstract Food allergy typically begins early in life and persists as a lifelong condition. Delayed introduction of allergenic foods followed by years of hesitancy to introduce these foods early may have contributed to the increase in food allergy prevalence in recent decades. Most infant feeding guidelines focus on the importance of early introduction of allergenic foods in infants at around age 4–6 months. However, regular, ongoing ingestion of allergenic foods is also critical for the primary prevention of food allergy. Similarly, intermittent exposure to cow’s milk formula (CMF) in early infancy increases the risk of cow’s milk allergy (CMA), while regular exposure (if it is introduced) prevents it. Families hesitant to introduce allergenic foods to their infant at home (despite education) should be offered introduction in a primary care clinic. Infants who have failed primary prevention should be referred to an allergist for consideration of early infant oral immunotherapy (OIT).

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Keywords
Primary prevention, Food allergy, Early food introduction
Citation
Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2024 Dec 19;20(Suppl 3):71