Study Finds Many Babies Labeled Peanut-Allergic Tolerate Peanut

A study published on November 5 found that more than one-third of infants previously diagnosed with peanut allergy did not react when given peanut during a medically supervised food challenge. The research examined 800 babies and found 34.8% were peanut-tolerant, allowing their allergy diagnosis to be removed. The findings appeared in a clinical immunology publication focused on allergies, with researchers from Murdoch Children’s pediatric research organization and Australia’s National Centre for Excellence in Allergy.

The infants had recently reacted to peanuts and had tested positive for an allergy. The researchers said allergy tests and medical histories alone did not accurately identify some of the babies who were allergic. They said supervised food challenges should be considered to confirm a diagnosis before starting oral immunotherapy.

The challenge carries risks: 12% of the babies experienced anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Medical experts urged parents not to test their children at home, and to discuss a supervised challenge with an allergist. The study’s findings suggest that retesting could remove an allergy label for some children, but the challenge needs to take place in a monitored medical setting.