Early introduction of Egg to infants four to six months old
by Doctor Laurence H. Miller on 05/06/16I previously presented the new recommendation to offer peanut butter to young infants as published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine. Babies who eat peanut early and on a regular basis are much less likely to become allergic than if they wait until after their birthday.
In the May 5, 2016 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, new research was reported showing that 1.4% of babies "at high risk" for egg allergy DID become allergic to egg when it was introduced at 4 months of age. But this was 75%reduction compared to the 5.5% of high risk babies who became allergic to egg if they didn't eat it until their birthday. A baby was in the HIGH RISK category if they had bad eczema, or if their parent or sibling was allergic to egg.
We are advising that young high risk infants be tested by an allergist before beginning egg or peanut, as a precaution. Babies who aren't high risk can routinely start these foods by six months of age.
Parents should discuss early introduction of egg and peanut with their Pediatrician before giving their baby these commonly allergic foods.
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