WATCH ABOVE: Dr. Edmond Chan, head of allergy and immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at BC Children’s Hospital, speaks to Global News’ Samantha Falk.
VANCOUVER – For many people with peanut allergies, even a tiny exposure can trigger serious, even life-threatening effects.
But a new study from England has found early exposure to peanuts could actually help prevent allergies in children.
“We’ve suspected that delay of introduction of peanuts has not been a good idea for several years and the Canadian Pediatric Society, with the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, actually changed its recommendations over a year ago and released a position statement,” said Dr. Edmond Chan, head of allergy and immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at BC Children’s Hospital.
“But we weren’t able to conclusively or firmly tell individuals that early introduction should be done. So this new study provides very convincing data to support that position to introduce early and give regularly once introduced.”
Chan said the study randomized high-risk children into two groups. One group was introduced early to peanuts, when they were between four and 11 months. The other group was not introduced to peanuts until three years old. They followed the children until they were five years old.
“Those that were introduced early and regularly had 80 per cent less peanut allergy than those who were avoiding it,” said Chan. “The benefit was mainly found in the very early introduction, at around four months of age. That is where there was the maximal benefit.”
He added that these results are so convincing, other practitioners are scrambling to rewrite position statements and guidelines.
He added that if parents are uncomfortable doing that, they should discuss any introduction with their physician first.
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