Overview
- Researchers report about a 43% decline in peanut allergy and a roughly 36–37% decline in any food allergy after guideline shifts encouraging early exposure.
- Study authors estimate the changes prevented at least 40,000 peanut-allergy cases over the past decade, with about 60,000 fewer food-allergy cases overall.
- The Pediatrics study examined records for more than 120,000 children across dozens of primary care practices to compare pre- and post-guideline periods.
- Authors and outside experts note limits of observational EHR data, including reliance on diagnostic codes and no direct feeding information, and urge cautious interpretation.
- Health experts say many families still hesitate to adopt early introduction; current advice is to offer thinned smooth peanut butter around 4–6 months and watch for rash, hives, or vomiting.