New research conducted at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, USA has shown allergies to peanuts and other foods are showing up in children at younger ages than previously found.

In a study of 140 children with peanut allergies, the median age of the first allergic reaction was 14 months among those born between 2000 and 2005, compared to 22 to 24 months among allergic children born between 1988 and 1999.

The reasons for this change are not clear, but these findings suggest parents should consider postponing exposing susceptible children to peanuts until they are older.

"When kids are older, it can be easier to manage bad reactions. They can tell you right away if their mouths feel funny. For that reason alone, it's worth delaying exposing your child to a peanut product, especially if a child is at high risk," said Dr. Todd Green, one of the investigating researchers in the study.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which published the study in its journal Pediatrics, recommends that children with a family history of allergies avoid peanuts until age 3.