Oral Food Challenge Clears Many Infants Thought to Have Peanut Allergy

A recent study revealed that nearly a third of infants previously thought to have a peanut allergy were actually not allergic, according to an oral food challenge (OFC). Of the 34.8% of infants who underwent an OFC, 7.8% experienced anaphylaxis, indicating that the procedure should be conducted in facilities with proper medical support.

The study, led by Kirsten Perrett, MBBS, PhD, from Murdoch Children's Research Institute, was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Traditionally, a history of reaction plus sensitization is sufficient for a peanut allergy diagnosis, and children are advised to avoid peanut products. However, most children outgrow milk or egg allergies, but only about a quarter to a third of those with peanut allergies do so without treatment by age 6.

The findings suggest that some infants may have a temporary immune response to peanuts that resolves quickly, or doesn't persist upon further exposure. Identifying this early can allow for reintroduction of peanuts in infancy, potentially changing the course of peanut allergy and reducing the overall burden of food allergies. OFC should be routinely considered in the evaluation of infant peanut allergies, regardless of the chosen management strategy, the researchers argued.