SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 20088/31/2008
New Recommendations Regarding Prevention of Allergic Disease from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Summary
Dr Scott Sicherer has written a succinct summary (appearing in Food Allergy News fo Physians) of the new statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics on the topic of Allergy Prevention. He focuses on differences between the 2008 version and the previous version published in 2000. A few of the important points taken from this concise review are:
- Exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months (perhaps six) is beneficial to delay or prevent allergy. For supplementation, a less allergenic formula (extensive casein hydrolysate, partial whey hydrolysate) is beneficial.
- The new report states that there is "currently a lack of evidence that the mother's diet during pregnancy plays a significant role." This contrasts with the previous report that suggested that mothers of at risk infants consider avoiding peanut during pregnancy.
- The new report states that there is no definitive evidence to confirm that the mothers avoidance of peanut, tree nuts, and possibly egg, milk, fish, and other foods, while breast-feeding has any effect on preventing or delaying allergic disease (although there is some evidence that eczema may be less likely to occur if such elimination diets are followed).
- There is also no definitive evidence that indicates delaying milk introduction until age 1 year, egg until age 2 years, and peanut, tree nuts, and fish until age 3 years, prevents or delays atopic disease.
Dr. Sicherer also clearly states that the above points address infants at risk. If an infant shows signs of allergy, these statements of course do not apply. In infants with symptoms of allergy, it may be important to restrict or delay introduction of potential trigger foods.
Reference
Scott Sicherer. Food Allergy News for Physicians. Volume 9 (2) summer, 2008.
