Australian research into peanuts during pregnancy

Many reports over recent months and years have provided conflicting information in relation to whether maternal peanut ingestion during pregnancy might influence sensitization of the off-spring in later life. A team of Australian-based immunologists have added to the body of knowledge in this area using data from a population-based longitudinal cohort study with 16 years follow-up.

Over three hundred participants were recruited at birth as part of an infant health study. Maternal antenatal peanut consumption was documented at the time of recruitment, and peanut and rye sensitization in the off-spring was determined by measurement of serum-specific IgE at age 16 years.

A high proportion (14%) of the cohort was found to be sensitised to peanut, but no association was found between antenatal peanut ingestion and peanut sensitisation. Interestingly, the results did indicate a strong association between antenatal peanut ingestion and decreased risk of peanut and rye sensitisation in those without a family history of allergy. In those with a family history of asthma, there was an increased risk of rye sensitisation with antenatal peanut ingestion and this was said to be possibly due to a cross-reaction of carbohydrate epitopes common to rye and peanut allergens.

The authors concluded that peanut ingestion may influence the development of IgE antibody to cross-reacting carbohydrate epitopes in later life with genetic factors potentially impacting on this association.

Reference: Kemp et al. 2010. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03668.x.