More research to support early introduction of allergic food before 12 months

A new review of the existing evidence, published in the British Medical Journal (the BMJ), has found that introducing allergen-containing food to infants’ diets from the age of 4 to 12 months was associated with a lower risk of multiple food allergies and eczema.

Researchers based in Australia have completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials (RCTs) to explore the effects of early introduction to allergenic foods compared with late introduction, and how this affects food allergy, food sensitisation and autoimmune disease risk.

12 RCTs, with a total of 9060 patients, that introduced the relevant foods before 12 months of age were included. Food allergies and sensitisation were measured using oral food challenges, specific-IgE, skin prick testing, clinical assessment and parental reporting.

The authors found with moderate to high certainty that early introduction of allergen-containing foods reduced the risk of multiple food allergies including egg and peanut, as well as and atopic dermatitis or eczema.

The evidence for effects on other food allergies including milk, wheat, fish, as well as autoimmune conditions and food sensitisation, were very uncertain. Further research is needed to understand how these conditions develop and to make clinical recommendations.

See our infant weaning guide.