Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The 2017 Prevention of Peanut Allergy Guidelines recommend incorporating peanut protein into infants’ diets to prevent peanut allergy. The goal of this study was to explore US caregivers’ awareness, beliefs, practices, and outcomes around peanut introduction. METHODS: A parent-report survey was administered between January and February 2021 to a population-based sample of 3062 US parents/caregivers of a child between age 7 months and 3.5 years. The survey evaluated awareness, beliefs, feeding practices, primary care provider (PCP) interactions, and food reactions. RESULTS: Overall, 13.3% of parents/caregivers reported Prevention of Peanut Allergy Guidelines awareness. Caregivers who reported being white, 30 to 44 years of age, educated, high income, or cared for a child with food allergy or eczema were more likely to be guideline-aware (P < .001). Among US parents/caregivers, 47.7% believed that feeding peanuts early prevented peanut allergy; 17.2% first offered peanut-containing foods before age 7 months and 41.8% did so between ages 7 and 12 months. Peanut introduction occurred earlier among guideline-aware parents/ caregivers: 31% offered it before 7 months (P < .001). Overall, 57.8% of parents/caregivers reported discussing peanut introduction with their PCP. PCP counseling was the most common facilitator for peanut introduction before 7 months (odds ratio 16.26 [9.49–27.85]), whereas fear of reactions was the most common reason for delaying peanut introduction beyond 7 months (32.5%). Actual reactions during peanut introduction were reported by 1.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Early peanut feeding practices are gaining traction among US parents/caregivers; however, disparities exist. Future efforts to increase guideline adherence need to address disparities, provide support for medical providers, and educate about the true incidence of reactions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e2022059376 |
| Journal | Pediatrics |
| Volume | 152 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1 2023 |
Funding
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES: Dr Samady reports institutional research funding from Food Allergy Research & Education and the National Institutes of Health. Dr Warren reports institutional research funding from Food Allergy Research & Education and the National Institutes of Health. Dr Bilaver receives research support from the National Institutes of Health, Food Allergy Research & Education, Thermo Fisher Scientific, National Chocolate Association, Yobee Care, Before Brands, Novartis, and Genentech. She is currently employed by Northwestern University and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Mr Zaslavsky reports support from Food Allergy Research & Education and New York University Grossman School of Medicine. Ms Jiang reports support from Food Allergy Research & Education and the National Institutes of Health. Dr Gupta receives research support from the National Institutes of Health (R21 ID # AI135705, R01 ID # AI130348, U01 ID # AI138907), Food Allergy Research & Education, Melchiorre Family Foundation, Sunshine Charitable Foundation, the Walder Foundation, UnitedHealth Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Genentech. She serves as a medical consultant/advisor for Genentech, Novartis, Aimmune LLC, Allergenis LLC, and Food Allergy Research & Education. She has ownership interest in Yobee Care, Inc. She is currently employed by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and is a professor of pediatrics and medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health