Jan 06, 2014 – Nut Allergy

ANCHOR LEAD: DOES IT HURT OR HELP WHEN PREGNANT WOMEN CONSUME PEANUTS AND TREE
NUTS? ELIZABETH TRACEY REPORTS

Peanut allergy as well as allergy to other nuts can be a killer, with more and more children manifesting these allergies. Now a study in JAMA Pediatrics shows that for some women, consuming these nuts during pregnancy may help. Robert Hamilton, an allergy expert at Johns Hopkins, says a more nuanced approach to the data is necessary.

HAMILTON: In this particular study they show that women who have no predisposition for allergic disease and who consume peanut and tree nuts, have an apparent reduced risk for having offspring that have allergy to tree nuts and peanuts. This is not the case for mothers who already have pre-existing allergic disease. At this particular point we’re not quite sure whether it’s good to recommend avoidance, complete avoidance, or high dose exposure during pregnancy. :29

Hamilton says stay tuned, as a long term study in England may soon provide a more definitive answer. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.