The effect of delayed introduction of solids on rates of eczema and infant sensitization to food and aeroallergens at 1 and 3 years of age

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2004-02, Vol.113 (2), p.S145-S145
• Main Authors: Grimshaw, K.E.C., Vance, G.H.S., Briggs, R.A., Diaper, N.D., Warner, J.A., Warner, J.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2003.12.524

The delayed introduction of solids, particularly of allergenic foods, into an infants diet is advocated by the American Academy of Pediatrics as an allergy prevention measure. Such advice is also incorporated into many allergy prevention studies. We compared retrospectively sensitization rates of control groups of two intervention allergy prevention studies. Recruitment to the studies ran consecutively, with the same criteria and procedures being applied to each. Mothers from the first intervention study (S1) received no weaning advice, whereas mothers from the later study (S2) were advised to delay the introduction of solids until 4 months of age and not to introduce allergenic foods until after 6 months of age. Skin prick test results and presence of eczema were compared at 1 year (n=185) and 3 years of age (n=79). At one year, sensitization rates in S2 mothers was 21% to food allergens and 36% to food and aeroallergens combined. In S1 mothers these values were 8% and 20% respectively. These differences are significant (p=0.023 and p=0.015). At three years of age there was no difference in sensitization rates (p=1.0 and p=0.79). There was no significant difference in eczema rates at either time point (p=0.3 and p=0.3). Delayed weaning strategies may not be as an effective allergy prevention measure as is currently thought and should be further investigated.