Abstract
Given that the prevalence of pediatric IgE-mediated food allergies (FA) has followed a substantive increase in recent decades, nowadays, a research challenge is to establish whether the weaning strategy can have a role in FA prevention. In recent decades, several studies have demonstrated that delayed exposure to allergenic foods did not reduce the risk of FA, leading to the publication of recent guidelines which recommend against delaying the introduction of solid foods after 4–6 months of age, both in high- and low-risk infants, in order to prevent food allergy. In the present review, focusing on cow’s milk protein, hen’s eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and fish, we describe the current scientific evidence on the relationship between timing of these foods’ introduction in infants’ diet and allergy development.
Highlights
The prevalence of Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies (FA) in children showed a significant increase in the last decades [1]
European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) [25] recommend in high-risk infants who cannot be breastfed, the use of hypoallergenic formula, and Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [23] used to recommend in high-risk infants extensively or partially hydrolyzed formula as a means to prevent the development of atopic diseases
A recent clinical report of the AAP written by Greer et al states that nowadays there is no evidence on the role of partially or extensively hydrolyzed formula in the prevention of atopic disease in infants and children, even in those at high risk for allergic disease [24]
Summary
The prevalence of Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergies (FA) in children showed a significant increase in the last decades [1]. The major scientific societies, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [9], the American College of Asthma Allergy and Immunology [10] and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) [11], used to recommend a late introduction of allergenic foods (e.g., milk after 12 months of age and egg after 24 months) on weaning for children at risk for allergy. These recommendations came from the assumption of a certain degree of “immaturity” of the mucosal immunity during infancy, which was supposed to allow an easier sensitization towards food antigens [12]. 4 months) in addition to breastfeeding to support optimal growth and development
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