1. [Prevention of food allergy: Shift from elimination to exposure of highly allergenic food].
- Author
-
Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, Koffeman EC, and Verhoeven DHJ
- Subjects
- Infant, Child, Female, Humans, Breast Feeding, Fruit, Vegetables, Dermatitis, Atopic prevention & control, Food Hypersensitivity prevention & control
- Abstract
Since 2015 the new insight has emerged that avoidance of food allergens increases the risk of food allergy, specifically in infants with atopic dermatitis through cutaneous sensitisation. The primary treatment of atopic dermatitis consists of treatment with topical steroids and emollients and not by dietary intervention. Today all children are advised to introduce peanut and egg before 8 months of age. Children with atopic dermatitis are advised to so between 4 and 6 months of age following weaning foods such as fruits and vegetables. Guidelines for early introduction of peanut and egg, including home introduction schedules are available use in primary and secondary care. Timely introduction of diverse and healthy complementary foods also seems to be preventive for the development of food allergy. Breastfeeding yields contradictory results on the prevention of allergic disease, but remains the preferred choice because of many other health benefits.
- Published
- 2023