(20 Jan 2022) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4362256
Peanut allergies can be a source of stress and worry for parents of young children. Now a new study is offering evidence that some toddlers might be able to overcome their peanut allergies if treated at a very young age.
In the study, children ages 1 to 3 with peanut allergies were given peanut protein powder over two-and-a-half years to help build up their tolerance. After two-and-a-half years, 71% were able to tolerate the equivalent of 16 peanuts.
Six months after the treatment ended, researchers tested whether the tolerance endured – and found 21% of the children were still able to consume the equivalent of 16 peanuts, suggesting the treatment, for some, might have a lasting effect.
"We have a window of opportunity to treat really young children really early in their disease course and hopefully help them lose their peanut allergy," said Stacie Jones, a co-author of the study.
Although some children naturally outgrow their peanut allergies without any intervention, peanut allergies are often lifelong and do not go away, said Dr. John Kelso of Scripps Health.
He said the study gives confidence to allergists considering adopting the treatment approach for toddlers. Still, he said longer-term studies are needed to understand how lasting the tolerance would be, and how it could be addressed if it declined again.
"We believe that this lays the groundwork for this tremendous potential. Again, this window of opportunity that we need to delve into more before this should be considered a standard of care in an allergy," said Jones.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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