Posted on Aug 1, 2024
Australia starts world first peanut allergy treatment for babies
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Australia announced the world's first nationwide program to treat peanut allergies in babies yesterday. The approach, based on encouraging results from clinical trials, seeks to build tolerance through small-dose exposure in early development.
The free program applies to parents of babies under age 1 diagnosed with a peanut allergy at one of 10 participating hospitals. Babies will be provided a daily, individualized dose of peanut powder, with the dosage increasing until the child reaches their maximum tolerance level. After two years, the child will be given a food allergy test to measure reactivity. The program builds on existing research suggesting positive results from oral immunotherapy to treat peanut allergies; in the US, such dosing is available through specialized healthcare settings.
Australia—considered the allergy capital of the world—has a relatively high incidence of peanut allergies, with 3% of its population diagnosed by age 1. Only 20% of those diagnosed will outgrow a peanut allergy by the time they are teenagers.
The free program applies to parents of babies under age 1 diagnosed with a peanut allergy at one of 10 participating hospitals. Babies will be provided a daily, individualized dose of peanut powder, with the dosage increasing until the child reaches their maximum tolerance level. After two years, the child will be given a food allergy test to measure reactivity. The program builds on existing research suggesting positive results from oral immunotherapy to treat peanut allergies; in the US, such dosing is available through specialized healthcare settings.
Australia—considered the allergy capital of the world—has a relatively high incidence of peanut allergies, with 3% of its population diagnosed by age 1. Only 20% of those diagnosed will outgrow a peanut allergy by the time they are teenagers.
Australia starts world first peanut allergy treatment for babies
Posted from bbc.com
Australia
Children
Medical
Science
Health
Posted 4 mo ago
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That's good news. It is one of the allergies that can kill if the reaction is not treated promptly. I used to babysit a little girl long ago when I was a teen, who had a peanut allergy.
I also read in an article about a research paper within the past few years that peanuts, more than any other edible food, accumulates toxicity (from soil? air? pesticides?) while growing Questions about how that can be prevented arise. I didn't read the research paper though which may have addressed it.
I also read in an article about a research paper within the past few years that peanuts, more than any other edible food, accumulates toxicity (from soil? air? pesticides?) while growing Questions about how that can be prevented arise. I didn't read the research paper though which may have addressed it.
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