A groundbreaking study has revealed that feeding toddlers tiny amounts of peanuts could effectively treat their peanut allergy within three years. Peanut allergy affects approximately one in 50 children in the UK, often persisting throughout life and causing constant anxiety over severe allergic reactions. While mild reactions may include an itchy mouth and nausea, severe cases can lead to anaphylaxis, characterized by swelling of the tongue and throat.
Successful Treatment Protocol
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have successfully treated children aged one to three years with peanut allergies by administering small, gradually increasing daily doses. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, involved 75 children in Stockholm with confirmed peanut allergies of varying severity. They were divided into two groups: 50 children received peanut puffs, while 25 avoided peanuts entirely.
Treatment began in a hospital setting with a very low dose, then continued at home with daily intake. Every four to six weeks, the dose was increased until the children reached a low maintenance dose equivalent to approximately one and a half peanuts per day. Professor Caroline Nilsson, from the Department of Clinical Science and Education at Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, and senior consultant at Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, stated: "All children who followed the protocol achieved the goal of eating three and a half peanuts without experiencing an allergic reaction, and most were able to consume up to 25 peanuts."
Impressive Results
After three years of consuming the peanut puffs, 82% of the treated children could eat at least three and a half peanuts without an allergic reaction, even after a four-week break from treatment. In contrast, only 12% of the control group that avoided peanuts could tolerate the same amount. Although some side effects occurred, they were mostly mild, such as an itchy mouth or skin rashes. However, serious allergic reactions did happen when the dose was increased, requiring adrenaline injections in some cases.
Professor Nilsson emphasized: "We consider the treatment to be safe if it is carried out under controlled conditions in a healthcare setting." She added, "The peanut puffs were easily ingested, which made the treatment simple for families to follow, and we were surprised by how positive the results were."
Caution Advised
Researchers stressed that this treatment is not to be attempted at home. Professor Anna Asarnoj, at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, warned: "The cautious treatment approach appears to play an important role in safety, but this is not something that parents should attempt at home, as serious reactions can still occur." The study marks the first randomized trial of oral immunotherapy in toddlers involving slow up-dosing and a low maintenance dose, offering hope for managing peanut allergies in early childhood.
