Milk Allergic Kids May Be At Higher Risk for Peanut Allergy

A major, albeit preliminary, research project conducted by The Consortium of Food Allergy Research "studied more than 500 infants between the ages of 3 and 15 months old with egg or milk allergies," Denise Reynolds RD reported on the EmaxHealth website.

None of the infants were known by their parents or doctors to have a peanut allergy at the start of the study. Yet,

more of the infants had elevated levels of IgE antibodies to peanuts than anticipated. Second, some of the infants had such high levels that they may already be allergic to peanuts without their parents being aware.

Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the three most common allergenic foods for infants. The study researchers encourage families of children with an egg or milk allergy to talk with their doctor before incorporating peanuts or peanut products into their children’s diets.

The children in the study will continued to be watched until they are five years old to determine whether peanut allergies become apparent, meaning that a direct link can be assumed.

The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.02.038).

For additional information about the study, the National Institutes of Health has a page on this at http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2010/niaid-10.htm.