Introduction of various allergenic foods during infancy reduces risk of IgE sensitization at 12 months of age: a birth cohort study

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to determine whether introducing various allergenic foods during infancy is associated with IgE sensitization at 12 months of age.MethodsDetailed information on feeding practices regarding six possible allergenic foods (fruits, egg white, egg yolk, fish, shellfish, and peanuts) was obtained by administering age-specific questionnaires to parents of infants at ages 6 and 12 months. Fecal secretory IgA (sIgA), fecal eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and serum levels of total IgE and IgE specific to 20 foods, and IgE specific to 20 inhalant allergens were also quantified at 12 months of age.ResultsAt 12 months of age, infants with IgE sensitization had been introduced to fewer allergenic food items during infancy (3.2±1.4 vs. 3.7±1.3 items). Compared with infants who were given 0-2 allergenic food items, infants introduced to 3-4 or ≥5 allergenic food items showed a significantly lower risk of IgE sensitization (odds ratios (ORs) 0.62 and 0.61, respectively) and lower total IgE levels. In addition, non-introduction of egg white or egg yolk was significantly related to IgE sensitization (ORs 1.41 and 1.26, respectively).ConclusionIncreasing the diversity of allergenic foods in infancy, including fruits, egg white, egg yolk, fish, shellfish, and peanuts, may protect infants from IgE sensitization at 12 months of age.