Updated Guidelines on Early Allergy Prevention Released

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines on the prevention of atopic diseases in infants and children. Specifically, the recommendations focus on maternal and early infant diet.

The guidelines update and replace a 2008 clinical report from the AAP, and based upon newly available evidence, including recently published investigations detailing the relationship between the introduction of complementary foods containing peanut and egg proteins and the development of food allergies.

Among the recommendations:

• High-risk infants should be given peanut products within 4 to 6 months of age in a clinical setting. Those with mild-to-moderate eczema should be introduced to peanut products at 6 months.  
• Not enough evidence exists to determine if partially or extensively hydrolyzed formula can prevent atopic disease.
• Duration of breast feeding beyond 3 to 4 months can help to protect against wheezing in children up to age 2 years and could help to protect against asthma up to age 5 years.

The full guidelines are available on the AAP’s website.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW, et al. The effects of early nutritional interventions on the development of atopic disease in infants and children: the role of maternal dietary restriction, breastfeeding, hydrolyzed formulas, and timing of introduction of allergenic complementary foods [published online March 18, 2019]. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-0281.