Early Peanut Introduction Clinic
Allergy to peanuts is a growing health problem for which there is very limited treatment and no cure.
A rigorous research study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases demonstrated that peanut allergy can be prevented by introducing peanut-containing foods into the diet early in life.
The trial found that infants at high risk for developing peanut allergy — those who have eczema, egg allergy, or both — should have peanut-containing foods included in their diet as early as four to six months of age. The study showed that taking this step resulted in an 81-percent reduction in the risk of developing peanut allergy.
Parents and caregivers always should check with their infant’s health care provider before feeding the child peanut-containing foods.
Our goal at Hasbro Children’s Hospital is to significantly reduce peanut allergies for at-risk infants through early peanut introduction.
Who Is Eligible for Treatment at the Early Peanut Introduction Clinic?
The Early Peanut Introduction Clinic treats:
- Infants (four to 11 months old) with eczema, and/or a history of allergy to eggs or other foods
- Infants who have no history of peanut ingestion and peanut reaction
- Infants who have a history of egg allergy or other food allergy
- Infants who have difficult-to-control eczema
How Infants Are Evaluated
Eligible infants will have skin prick testing or a blood test or both to determine the risk for peanut allergy. Infants without strong skin test reactions will come to the office for a supervised feeding of age-appropriate, peanut-containing foods.
Once an infant passes the feeding test without an allergic reaction, the parent will include peanut-containing foods in the baby’s diet at least three times a week.
More about the Pediatric Respiratory and Immunology Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital