Overview
- Electronic health records from more than 120,000 U.S. children show peanut allergy diagnoses fell about 40–45% and any IgE-mediated food allergy dropped roughly 36–38% after the 2015–2017 guidance shift.
- Researchers estimate the policy changes have prevented tens of thousands of cases of food allergy, including many peanut allergies.
- Effects varied by subgroup: children with prior atopic dermatitis did not see a significant reduction in peanut allergy risk, and egg allergy became the most commonly documented early-childhood allergen as cow’s milk allergy declined.
- The study used diagnostic codes and interrupted time-series analyses and did not measure feeding behavior, so the results indicate association rather than proven causation.
- Current guidance advises introducing safe forms of peanut at 4 to 6 months and keeping them in the diet regularly, though experts note uptake has been uneven due to parental concerns.