- Avoidance of particular foods or allergens in the maternal diet during pregnancy and when breastfeeding, has not been shown to prevent food allergies in infants
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should eat a varied and healthy balanced diet
- Research into the use of nutritional supplements during pregnancy and infant allergy prevention remains inconclusive
- General health recommendations for folic acid and vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy remain and no changes to guidance have been made in recent years
- There is no recommendation for or against the use of hydrolysed infant formulas in allergy prevention
- Over recent years, outcomes from the Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) and Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) studies have suggested the early introduction of peanut and egg alongside other solids, or by one year of age, may help prevent development of food allergy
- Current research shows that infants at ’higher risk of developing food allergies’ may benefit from early introduction (from 4 months of age) of solids, including age appropriate forms of egg and then peanut to prevent future allergy
- The BSACI’s Paediatric Allergy Group (PAG) and the Food Allergy Specialist Group (FASG) of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) have developed early feeding guidance documents in support if these findings
Globally, the number of individuals with food allergy has risen considerably over recent years. Living with food allergy can significantly affect an individual’s health, lifestyle and quality of life and have an on impact on those around them, such as family members. Over many years, key focus within research has therefore been placed on strategies for preventing the development of food allergies. Allergen exposure during the antenatal and postnatal period has been important topics of discussion.
