Early introduction of peanuts to infants could significantly decrease risk of developing peanut allergy

MIAMI, FL – June 25^th, 2015 – Due to the growing number of children with peanut related allergies, doctors have long advised to avoid peanut consumption in infants and young children, however, research shows that this practice is no longer valid.

Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care is sharing with the community the results of a study that evaluated strategies of peanut consumption and avoidance to determine which strategy were most effective in preventing the development of peanut allergy in infants at high risk for the allergy. The new results show that introducing infants to peanut can lead to a reduced chance of developing peanuts allergy.

Peanut Allergy Facts:

• Peanut allergy has become the leading cause of anaphylaxis and death related to food allergy in the United States. In the United States alone, the prevalence of peanut allergy has more than quadrupled in the past 13 years, growing from 0.4% in 1997 to more than 2% in 2010.

• The Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) study randomly assigned 640 infants with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both to consume or avoid peanuts until 60 months of age.

• The conclusion was that the early introduction of peanuts significantly decreased the frequency of the development of peanut allergy among children at high risk for this allergy and modulated immune responses to peanuts.

• During the 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting in Houston, Professor Gideon Lack, MB, BCh, presented the highly anticipated results from the LEAP study, providing evidence that early introduction of peanuts offers protection from the development of peanut allergies. The results were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

“Eating Peanut Butter when you are young is safer than we thought”, said Dr. Michael P. Pacin.

Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care regularly treat patients of all ages with peanut and food allergies. With 17 locations in Miami­Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care can help you get your symptoms under control. For an office near you, visit www.florida­allergy.com or call 1­877­425­5374.

About Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care

Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care has been in business for 40 years and has board certified physicians with extensive experience in treating both adults and children. FCAAC has 17 centers throughout South Florida, serving communities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Centers specialize in the testing and treatment of adults and children who suffer from allergies, asthma and other disorders of the immune system. Among the most common allergies treated are allergic skin diseases, food, drug and pet allergies. Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care Research conducts clinical trials on new medications. The goal of the FCAAC team is to provide professional and quality care resulting in total patient satisfaction.

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Bristol Public Relations

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