Babies exposed to peanuts less likely to be allergic years later, study says
Washington PostMAY 14 2024
Australia is set to be become the first country to offer oral immunotherapy (OIT) to babies with peanut allergies as part of a free program for children diagnosed with the allergy under 12 months of age.Australia is set to become the first country to offer oral immunotherapy to babies with peanut allergies as part of a free program available to infants under 12 months old with diagnosed peanut allergies.
The ADAPT OIT program will be available for eligible children at ten pediatric hospitals across the country. Patients will receive a regular dosage of peanut powder, with the hopes of inducing a tolerance to peanuts in the children.The program will be available to eligible children at ten pediatric hospitals across five Australian states. Patients will receive a regular dosage of peanut powder with the goal of safely building tolerance.
Director of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) Kirsten Perrett says that OIT has never been available outside of clinical trials in the country. Children in the program will eventually reach a maintenance dose of peanuts, which they must maintain for two years before halting treatment to see if it has been effective.The National Allergy Centre of Excellence Director, Kirsten Perrett, said that the treatment has only been available in clinical trials. Children in the program will eventually reach a maintenance dose, which they must maintain for two years before halting treatment for monitoring.
This is a program that could change the lives of countless children, and is a win for children's health. The evidence is becoming clear that the early introduction of allergenic foods, such as peanuts, is the best way ofto preventingprevent the onset of serious allergies. Keeping kids in metaphoric bubble wrap and totally quarantining them from allergens may have done more harm than good.
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