BMJ 1996;313:300 (3 August)

Letters

Reduced exposure might increase allergic sensitisation

EDITOR,--Pamela W Ewan makes the important statement that the incidence of peanut and nut allergy is rising and that sensitisation seems to occur early in life.1 Regrettably, she does not provide any evidence to back her recommendation that "young allergic children should avoid peanuts and nuts to prevent the development of this allergy" and her extraordinary suggestion that avoidance should be practised until the age of 7. Hugh A Sampson, in the accompanying editorial, makes similar recommendations and further suggests that mothers who are breast feeding should eliminate peanuts from their diet.2

Firstly, there is no evidence that avoiding foods during lactation or early childhood prevents allergic sensitisation to these foods. Indeed, in certain cultures that consume large quantities of peanuts, peanut allergy seems to be less of a problem than it is in Britain. Secondly, allergic sensitisation may occur in utero, but no advice is given on maternal diet . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Clinical study of peanut and nut allergy in 62 consecutive patients: new features and associations
Pamela W Ewan
BMJ 1996 312: 1074-1078. [Abstract] [Full Text]

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