Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction

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 gui...

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Main Authors: Edmond S. Chan, Elissa M. Abrams, Douglas P Mack, Jennifer L.P. Protudjer, Wade Watson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-024-00924-5
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author Edmond S. Chan
Elissa M. Abrams
Douglas P Mack
Jennifer L.P. Protudjer
Wade Watson
author_facet Edmond S. Chan
Elissa M. Abrams
Douglas P Mack
Jennifer L.P. Protudjer
Wade Watson
author_sort Edmond S. Chan
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-e0defc0cbfca44b8b2132cdc963fdd522025-08-20T02:03:36ZengBMCAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology1710-14922024-12-0120S311110.1186/s13223-024-00924-5Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introductionEdmond S. Chan0Elissa M. Abrams1Douglas P Mack2Jennifer L.P. Protudjer3Wade Watson4Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s HospitalDivision of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s HospitalDepartment of Pediatrics, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of ManitobaDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Dalhousie University, IWK Health CentreAbstract 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).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-024-00924-5Primary preventionFood allergyEarly food introduction
spellingShingle Edmond S. Chan
Elissa M. Abrams
Douglas P Mack
Jennifer L.P. Protudjer
Wade Watson
Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
Primary prevention
Food allergy
Early food introduction
title Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
title_full Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
title_fullStr Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
title_full_unstemmed Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
title_short Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction
title_sort primary prevention of food allergy beyond early introduction
topic Primary prevention
Food allergy
Early food introduction
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-024-00924-5
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