We evaluated factors influencing the timing of allergen introduction in the U.S., including updated peanut introduction guidelines.
The Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Allergic Proctocolitis (GMAP) study is a prospective observational cohort in suburban Massachusetts. Infants' caregivers enrolled between 2014 and 2017, and they reported when they introduced common allergens to their child. Multivariable linear and survival regression analyses were used to examine factors influencing time of introduction of allergens.
By 9 months, children old enough to be potentially affected by NIAID's 2017 peanut introduction guidelines were more often introduced to peanut than children enrolled well before guidelines publication [54% vs. 42%, OR: 1.63, CI: (1.03, 2.57),
Updated introduction guidelines, race, and birth order all influenced earlier introduction of peanut. Further studies to evaluate current practices for allergen introduction with a focus on potential disparities are needed.