Matthew Greenhawt1, Edmond S Chan2, David M Fleischer3, Allison Hicks3, Rachel Wilson4, Marcus Shaker5, Carina Venter3, David Stukus6. 1. Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Aurora, Colorado. Electronic address: Matthew.Greenhawt@childrenscolorado.org. 2. BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 3. Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Aurora, Colorado. 4. Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt Pleasant, Michigan. 5. Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, Dartmouth University Medical Center, Hanover, New Hampshire. 6. Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines recommend early peanut introduction (EPI) beginning around 4 to 6 months of age in infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy and around 6 months for all other infants. Caregiver preferences for such practices are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of support for early allergenic solid food recommendations among new and expecting caregivers of infants at risk for peanut allergy. METHODS: We explored preferences for EPI and in-office allergy risk assessment (IRA) through a nationally representative survey of expecting (n = 1,000) and new caregivers of infants younger than 1 year (n = 1,000). RESULTS: Among a primarily female (99.7%), married (80.3%), and white (74.4%) sample, 29% had no or vague awareness of the new guidelines, 61% had no or minimal concern for their child developing food allergy, but 54% felt timing of food introduction has moderate to strong importance for developing food allergy. Only 31% expressed willingness for EPI before or around 6 months of age, with 40% reporting willingness to introduce peanut after 11 months of age, similar to tree nuts and seafood. However, 60% reported willingness to introduce egg before 8 months of age. A total of 51% and 56.8% were unwilling to allow IRA methods, such as skin testing and oral challenge, before 11 months of age, respectively. Odds of willingness to delay peanut introduction (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.96) and undergo challenge (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.82) after 6 months of age were lower among expecting caregivers. CONCLUSION: Among new and expecting caregivers, there is poor current willingness and questionable support for early allergenic solid food recommendations, including IRA before introduction. Willingness was better among expecting vs current caregivers. These trends underscore a need for broader formal implementation planning to facilitate early allergen introduction and maximize its preventive benefits.
BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines recommend early peanut introduction (EPI) beginning around 4 to 6 months of age in infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy and around 6 months for all other infants. Caregiver preferences for such practices are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of support for early allergenic solid food recommendations among new and expecting caregivers of infants at risk for peanutallergy. METHODS: We explored preferences for EPI and in-office allergy risk assessment (IRA) through a nationally representative survey of expecting (n = 1,000) and new caregivers of infants younger than 1 year (n = 1,000). RESULTS: Among a primarily female (99.7%), married (80.3%), and white (74.4%) sample, 29% had no or vague awareness of the new guidelines, 61% had no or minimal concern for their child developing food allergy, but 54% felt timing of food introduction has moderate to strong importance for developing food allergy. Only 31% expressed willingness for EPI before or around 6 months of age, with 40% reporting willingness to introduce peanut after 11 months of age, similar to tree nuts and seafood. However, 60% reported willingness to introduce egg before 8 months of age. A total of 51% and 56.8% were unwilling to allow IRA methods, such as skin testing and oral challenge, before 11 months of age, respectively. Odds of willingness to delay peanut introduction (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.96) and undergo challenge (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-0.82) after 6 months of age were lower among expecting caregivers. CONCLUSION: Among new and expecting caregivers, there is poor current willingness and questionable support for early allergenic solid food recommendations, including IRA before introduction. Willingness was better among expecting vs current caregivers. These trends underscore a need for broader formal implementation planning to facilitate early allergen introduction and maximize its preventive benefits.
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