Early exposure versus late exposure. With the rate of allergies on the rise with each generation, the dilemma facing parents on when to introduce foods into the diet has never been more important. But with so many conflicting views, what is the right choice? It has been argued that children in areas of high peanut consumption have very low rates of peanut allergy whilst on the other hand some believe that early exposure can lead to sensitisation to the food.

Enter the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut allergy) study, which followed the development of children at high risk of developing peanut allergy (moderate to severe eczema and egg allergy) over a period of six years. In half of the group, peanuts were introduced into the diet, and in the other group peanuts were deliberately avoided.

Although professionals have yet to announce guidelines regarding the results, the study has suggested that early introduction may in fact reduce the likelihood of developing peanut allergy in high risk individuals. The key message is that these infants should be checked for sensitivity to peanut as soon as possible.

Check out the interview with the head of the LEAP study, Gideon Lack; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn8OGPC65gk, or to see the full results of the study, check out their website: http://www.leapstudy.co.uk/.