Delaying Solids May Not Effect Atopic Allergies

This publication in Pediatrics seems to suggest that delaying the introduction of “allergic” foods has little bearing on whether or not babies wind up with these alergies.  Very interesting!

The Journal of Pediatrics – PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 1 January 2008, pp. 183-191 (doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3022) – just released these findings in preliminary studies of delaying solid foods and how it effects certain allergies.   Many studies have examined the duration of breastfeeding and its effect on atopic disease. However, few studies have examined the timing of the introduction of complementary foods as an independent risk factor for atopic disease in breastfed or formula-fed infants. 

An expert panel from the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology has recommended delayed introduction of solid foods for 4 to 6 months in breastfed or formula-fed infants.22 The AAP has also recommended that solid foods be delayed until 4 to 6 months of age and that whole cow milk be delayed until 12 months of age.11 Before publication of this clinical report, AAP recommendations for infants who are at risk of developing atopic disease were to avoid eggs until 2 years of age and avoid peanuts, tree nuts, and fish until 3 years of age.3,11   These guidelines for solid food introduction and avoidance of specific allergens were based on the evidence of a few studies with various limitations.39,5759 Three newer studies have reported mixed results regarding the timing of the introduction of solid foods and development of childhood atopic disease.6062

Read More of the Study

Atopic disease: Clinical disease characterized by atopy; typically refers to atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy. This report will be limited to the discussion of conditions for which substantial information is available in the medical literature.