Children with Mild Peanut Allergy May Be Able to Eat Peanut Butter, Trial Shows

Study Finds Immunotherapy Successful in Reducing Severity of Peanut Allergy

Children with milder forms of peanut sensitivity may be able to overcome their allergy by consuming increasing amounts of store-bought peanut butter, a new study suggests.

Immunotherapy Successful in Reducing Severity of Peanut Allergy

All of the 32 children in the study who received 18 months of immunotherapy were able to consume the equivalent of three tablespoons of peanut butter without experiencing reactions, according to the report published in NEJM Evidence.

Researchers Warn Against Self-Treatment

Parents were advised that this strategy should only be followed under the supervision of an allergist, the researchers cautioned.

Peanut Allergy Affects 1-2% of Children and Adults

Between 1% and 2% of children and adults in the United States have a peanut allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Study’s Lead Author Discusses Findings

“Until now, researchers have focused on children with such severe allergies that the tiniest bit of peanut could set off a dangerous reaction,” said Dr. Scott Sicherer, professor of pediatrics and director of the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. “We thought if we could target children who could consume at least half a peanut with a therapy that was much easier to use, we might be able to get them to the point where they could treat peanuts like regular food. We were surprised at how successful we were.”

Study’s Methodology

A total of 73 children, ages 4 to 14, were originally entered in the trial, which was sponsored and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Of the 73, 38 were randomly assigned to get immunotherapy, with the other 35 to continue avoiding peanut protein.

Children Who Could Eat the Equivalent of Half a Peanut Were Eligible for the Study

Children who could eat the equivalent of 20 or more peanuts were excluded from the study.

Results of the Study

By the end of the trial, six of the children in the immunotherapy group and five in the control group had dropped out, which left 32 in the immunotherapy group and 30 in the group that continued to avoid peanuts. In the treatment group, children were started on a 1⁄8 teaspoon of peanut butter, which gradually was increased every eight weeks. Once the children reached 1⁄2 a teaspoon of peanut butter, they were allowed to substitute other foods containing an equivalent amount of peanut protein, such as candies, for the peanut butter.

Children Who Completed the Study Were Able to Consume the Equivalent of Three Tablespoons of Peanut Butter

None of the children in the immunotherapy group had a severe enough reaction when consuming peanut protein at home to need a shot of epinephrine, and just one needed the medication during a visit to the study site.

Long-Term Results Show Immunotherapy Successful in Reducing Severity of Peanut Allergy

The next part of the study was designed to determine whether the peanut tolerance gained by the 32 children would be lasting. Thirty children chose to continue with the study at that point. They were asked to abstain from eating peanut protein for eight weeks. Then they were tested to see if they could still tolerate the equivalent of three tablespoons of peanut butter. Out of the 30 children, 26 passed the test, leading the researchers to conclude that the immunotherapy had allowed these children to overcome their allergy to peanut protein.

Conclusion

“This is a pretty easy process to follow, and it was very successful,” said Sicherer. “It has the potential to be a game changer for the families and the children.”

FAQs

* What is the success rate of the study?
+ 100% of children in the immunotherapy group were able to consume the equivalent of three tablespoons of peanut butter without experiencing reactions.
* How long did the study last?
+ The study lasted 18 months.
* What is the recommended treatment for peanut allergy?
+ Immunotherapy, such as the treatment used in this study, under the supervision of an allergist.
* Can peanut allergy be overcome?
+ Yes, with the help of immunotherapy, as shown in this study.
* What is the prevalence of peanut allergy?
+ Between 1% and 2% of children and adults in the United States have a peanut allergy.