Research on peanut allergic children and mothers

A web-based case-control survey using the Anaphylaxis Canada Registry has looked at the risk of developing childhood peanut allergy in association with pregnancy exposure to Rh immune globulin, folic acid and ingestion of peanut-containing foods. The aim was to determine any prenatal factors that may contribute to the development of peanut allergy.

A total of 1300 children with reported peanut allergy were compared to 113 control children with shellfish allergy. Results of the study indicate the risk of childhood peanut allergy is not modified by maternal exposures in pregnancy to Rh immune globulin, folic acid or peanut-containing foods. Complete avoidance of peanut-containing products in pregnancy was associated with a non-significantly lower risk of developing peanut allergy.

Resolution of peanut and tree nut allergies occurs in around 20% and 10% of children, respectively. A survey conducted in the UK has looked at the psychosocial impact in children and their mothers of the food challenge used to test resolution, and the anxiety, stress and quality of life in the months following the challenge.

Forty children undergoing food challenges to access resolution of allergy, and their mothers, completed validated questionnaires to measure generic and food specific quality of life, stress and anxiety prior to challenge, both on the day of investigation and 3-6 months later. Sixty-three children with persistent allergy (i.e. were not undergoing a food challenge to test allergy resolution) acted as a comparison group.

Mothers experienced increased anxiety on the day of food challenge but children were less anxious. Food challenges were associated with improved food-related quality of life in both children and mothers the following months, even in those with a positive challenge result.

Reference: Binkley et al. 2011. Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology. DOI:10.1186/1710-1492-7-17.

Reference: Knibb et al. 2011. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03905.x.