A baby can have a peanut allergy, and the peanut challenge procedure determines that diagnosis.
You’ve probably heard about doctors recommending babies eat peanut to prevent peanut allergy, and this recommendation differs from that of 20 years ago. At that time, doctors recommended babies avoid this potentially allergenic food. So there were not many ingestion challenges done in babies. Unfortunately, allergists did not have much evidence upon which to make that recommendation.
Peanut introduction with ingestion challenges
But now we have evidence that supports actually introducing peanut – in an age-appropriate, safe way – to babies who are at risk of peanut allergy as a way of preventing the development of peanut allergy. Also, in some babies who have peanut allergy, peanut products may be used to teach the immune system to tolerate peanut. In order to rule out or to confirm peanut allergy, an allergist performs a peanut challenge.
Does all this sound confusing? I break it all down with my friend and colleague, Dr. Jackie Bjelac.
Tune in to the podcast to hear about ingestion challenges in babies!
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Additional Show Notes
I have talked about a non-profit…
The non-profit is The Teal Schoolhouse, whose primary program is Code Ana. Code Ana equips schools for medical emergencies like anaphylaxis. Our primary program is the Code Ana School Program, which is a comprehensive approach to school-focused medical preparedness. This program guides schools through the process of creating a medical emergency response plan. This is one of the most important components of a school's food allergy policy!
A medical emergency response plan is important for all kiddos and for adults at any school! Our primary goal is to share the School Program, and Code Ana’s Online Epinephrine Training Program helps support that goal. Through this program, you will educate yourself while you support this important mission! (BTW although Pam and I serve in leadership roles of Code Ana and The Teal Schoolhouse, our time/effort/work is completely voluntary). Does your kiddo’s school have Code Ana?
