Implementation of the Addendum Guidelines for Peanut Allergy Prevention by US allergists, a survey conducted by the NIAID, in collaboration with the AAAAI

Abstract

In 2017, the Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy were published with recommendations on early introduction of peanut-containing foods based on infants' clinical history. We sought to conduct a nationwide US survey to assess Guidelines implementation among allergists and immunologists who manage infants for food allergy. Survey invitations were delivered to 3281 nonretired, US members of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, board certified in allergy and immunology. The survey assessed awareness and implementation of the Guidelines and barriers to implementation. Descriptive statistics were generated. Twenty-nine percent (946 of 3281) of surveyed allergists/immunologists responded, and 87.1% (825 of 946) of responders met eligibility criteria. Among eligible responders, 97.1% were aware of the Guidelines. Of these, 64.5% reported full implementation of the Guidelines as published, 34.4% reported partial implementation, and 1.1% reported using none of the Guidelines. Barriers to Guidelines use included parental (47.6%) and self (21.8%) concerns about allergic reactions, lack of referrals (33.6%), parents uninterested in early feeding (28.2%), and lack of clinic time (20.9%). The 2 most common deviations from the Guidelines were considering additional factors not specified in the Guidelines such as family history (50.2%) and conducting skin prick testing in non-high-risk children (43.9%). Of respondents using the Guidelines, 45.7% indicated they needed more education or training. Essentially all allergists/immunologists who responded to the survey reported full or partial Guidelines implementation. Parental concerns and lack of referrals are major identifiable barriers. Improved Guidelines messaging to parents and referring physicians is warranted.