Investigators: Debbie Palmer, Susan Prescott
This study investigated the effects of 109 breastfeeding mothers eating high or low dietary intakes of both egg and peanut from birth to until their babies were six months old. Overall, there were no differences between the high and low egg and peanut eating groups, with seven children developing either egg and/or peanut allergy.
However, we did find some interesting (nonsignificant) trends that more infants who developed peanut allergy had mothers in the low group, however conversely, more infants who developed egg allergy had mothers in the high group. Hence, breastfeeding mothers’ consumption levels of different food allergens (for example peanut compared to egg) may lead to allergen-specific baby food allergies, which now requires further investigation in larger trials.
Trial results publication: Debra J. Palmer, Desiree Silva, Susan L. Prescott. Maternal peanut and egg consumption during breastfeeding randomised pilot trial. Paed Allergy Immunol. 2022 Sep;33(9):e13845. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.13845