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Babies given peanuts, fish, eggs early less likely to become allergic, study affirms

A study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, with senior author Dr. Derek Chu, found that early allergen introduction lowers food allergy risk, while delaying peanuts past 12 months doubles risk.
Guideline authors note early and continued feeding appears to promote immune tolerance, supporting the 'Eat Early, Eat Often' guidance, with many babies starting around four, five or six months.
Researchers noted first-born and male infants as minor risk factors, infants with early eczema, asthma or allergic family members face higher risk, and antibiotics in the first month are a possible risk needing more study.
The authors say the risk of a severe reaction at first exposure in infancy is extremely low; the study was endorsed by the executive director of the non-profit supporting people with food allergies, and early antibiotic use in infants needs more study.
Broader findings include that early, repeated allergen introduction lowers food allergy risk, with Jennifer Gerdts stating `This publication confirms that food allergy development in children is influenced by multiple factors`.

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