Peanut Allergies may not be Permanent

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Scientists believe some children with peanut allergies may outgrow them over time. In a recent study completed at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, researchers concluded, “Patients with a history of peanut allergy and peanut-IgE levels (the antibodies made by the immune system that cause allergic reactions) of five or less have at least a 50-percent chance of outgrowing their allergy.”

Researchers gave a group of 80 children, ages 4 to 14 years, with low levels of allergy antibodies, an oral peanut challenge. The patients were fed a peanut, and then closely monitored for common allergic reactions like coughing, hives, and difficulty breathing. Results of this study show that 55 percent of patients with peanut-IgE levels of five or less passed these challenges, implying that they may have outgrown their allergy.

Peanut allergies produce serious, even fatal reactions. They affect up to 2 percent of young children and 1.5 million Americans, and those numbers could be rising. This sensitive allergy can be set off by 1/1000th of a peanut; such trace amounts often found in prepared foods. Allergic reactions to peanuts can cause anaphylaxis, a condition that constricts the lungs, lowers blood pressure, causes swelling in the tongue and throat, and may lead to death.

Recurrence of this allergy may occur, but is uncommon. Researchers say, “Risk of recurrence may be higher among those who do not consume enough peanuts to maintain their tolerance level.” They also recommend patients with resolved peanut allergy should continue to carry epinephrine to prevent serious effects of recurrence. They also say further research should include tests on patients with peanut-IgE levels greater than five.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers a searchable archive of its medical reports written since 1995. To search, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/search/.

SOURCE: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2003;112:183-189