The prevalence of peanut allergy among children in Western countries has doubled in the past 10 years. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the early introduction of peanut significantly decreased the frequency of the development of peanut allergy in high risk infants and children. Results also suggested that delaying introduction of peanut in high risk children may actually be associated with an increased risk for peanut allergy development. The physicians at Grand Rapids Allergy are taking an active role in potentially reducing the risk of peanut allergy development by applying the results of this study to a “real world population”. If your child has never eaten peanut and has moderate-severe eczema, egg allergy or family history of peanut allergy in a sibling or parent and you are interested in learning more about preventing peanut allergy, please contact us at 616-949-4840, ext 2001 to schedule an appointment.