(Australia-NewsWire.Com, May 10, 2016 ) Sydney, Australia -- A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that babies aged 4 to 11 months, who were fed a soupy, peanut butter mush were 80 percent less likely to develop peanut allergy by the time they grow up. According to Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, giving babies peanuts at an early age helped them develop an immunity from peanut allergy. In addition, a follow-up study found evidence that the earlier children are exposed to peanuts, the more beneficial it becomes to them.
The study also suggested that the children's tolerance to peanuts remained even if they stopped eating them. "A 12-month period of peanut avoidance was not associated with an increase in the prevalence of peanut allergy," authors of the paper wrote, as reported by NPR. Dr. Arthur Jenkins, a Sydney-based pediatrician and AirbornBaby USA’s consultant, said that the study symbolizes a significant advancement in terms of immunology. "This study is important because from the looks of it, early exposure to peanuts could protect babies who are at a higher risk of developing peanut allergy," Dr. Jenkins said.
"If this turns out to be successful, there is a big chance that we could prevent other allergies, too, following this study." According to the pediatrician, about 40% of his patients are allergic to peanuts and for some, their parents find out almost too late. "If this study becomes successful, it could save lives. I'm sure a lot of parents would love that. It could make things easier."