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Baby allergy fears 'over the top' | Baby allergy fears 'over the top' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Mothers who fear their babies suffer from food allergies are largely wrong, research has found. | Mothers who fear their babies suffer from food allergies are largely wrong, research has found. |
More than 800 babies were monitored for three years, and more than a third of their parents, mainly mothers, said their child had a food intolerance. | More than 800 babies were monitored for three years, and more than a third of their parents, mainly mothers, said their child had a food intolerance. |
But just 27 were allergic to any food at the age of three, and fewer than 60 had a food allergy at any stage. | |
The University of Portsmouth research also found that the incidence of food allergies is not rising. | The University of Portsmouth research also found that the incidence of food allergies is not rising. |
Most children out grow their milk and egg allergy Dr Carina Venter, dietician and senior researcher at the University, of Portsmouth | Most children out grow their milk and egg allergy Dr Carina Venter, dietician and senior researcher at the University, of Portsmouth |
Carina Venter, a dietician and senior researcher at the University, spent three years studying nearly all the babies born in one year on the Isle of Wight. | Carina Venter, a dietician and senior researcher at the University, spent three years studying nearly all the babies born in one year on the Isle of Wight. |
The babies were studied at six months, one, two and three years of age. | The babies were studied at six months, one, two and three years of age. |
More aware | More aware |
Dr Venter said: "People have become more aware of food allergies, particularly of peanut allergy. | Dr Venter said: "People have become more aware of food allergies, particularly of peanut allergy. |
"Mums tend to put down every rash, tummy ache, diarrhoea and crying to food allergy or intolerance." | "Mums tend to put down every rash, tummy ache, diarrhoea and crying to food allergy or intolerance." |
The study, funded by the Food Standards Agency, found parents jump to the conclusion of a food allergy far too quickly. | The study, funded by the Food Standards Agency, found parents jump to the conclusion of a food allergy far too quickly. |
The appearance of a rash, itching or developing hives or eczema, were the main reasons parents decided their child had a food intolerance. | The appearance of a rash, itching or developing hives or eczema, were the main reasons parents decided their child had a food intolerance. |
A tummy ache, vomiting, wheeziness and coughing were also factors. | A tummy ache, vomiting, wheeziness and coughing were also factors. |
The study also found babies could be allergic to some foods and outgrow this intolerance within a year or two - between 5% and 6% of babies had an allergic reaction to some foods at some point in the three years, but just 27 were left with allergies at the age of three. | The study also found babies could be allergic to some foods and outgrow this intolerance within a year or two - between 5% and 6% of babies had an allergic reaction to some foods at some point in the three years, but just 27 were left with allergies at the age of three. |
Dr Venter said: "It is commonly known that most children out grow their milk and egg allergy. | Dr Venter said: "It is commonly known that most children out grow their milk and egg allergy. |
"Fish and peanut allergies can be outgrown, but it is less likely." | "Fish and peanut allergies can be outgrown, but it is less likely." |
Allergy sources | Allergy sources |
Milk, eggs, fruit - mainly strawberries and citrus fruit - additives and wheat, peanuts, fish and soya were the foods most commonly blamed by mothers for causing an allergy. | Milk, eggs, fruit - mainly strawberries and citrus fruit - additives and wheat, peanuts, fish and soya were the foods most commonly blamed by mothers for causing an allergy. |
It is essential doctors do listen to parents' concerns Dr Adam FoxConsultant paediatric allergist | It is essential doctors do listen to parents' concerns Dr Adam FoxConsultant paediatric allergist |
But the foods that were more likely to cause an allergic reaction are peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, brazil and almond nuts. | But the foods that were more likely to cause an allergic reaction are peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, brazil and almond nuts. |
Some of the babies also had a reaction to gluten, hazelnut, cashew nut and corn. | Some of the babies also had a reaction to gluten, hazelnut, cashew nut and corn. |
Peanut and sesame allergy tests were not given until the age of three, because it is thought babies shouldn't be exposed to these items when they are any younger. | Peanut and sesame allergy tests were not given until the age of three, because it is thought babies shouldn't be exposed to these items when they are any younger. |
The only other study of this type - monitoring babies' allergies for their first three years - was conducted in the US 20 years ago. | The only other study of this type - monitoring babies' allergies for their first three years - was conducted in the US 20 years ago. |
This study found the number of allergies had dropped slightly. | This study found the number of allergies had dropped slightly. |
Dr Venter said: "Why food allergies haven't increased isn't clear. Asthma, eczema and hay fever are growing, and we thought food allergies were too. | Dr Venter said: "Why food allergies haven't increased isn't clear. Asthma, eczema and hay fever are growing, and we thought food allergies were too. |
"We don't know at this stage why it isn't increasing." | "We don't know at this stage why it isn't increasing." |
Dr Adam Fox, a consultant paediatric allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Whilst a large number of parents do worry about their children having food allergies, most children won't. | Dr Adam Fox, a consultant paediatric allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Whilst a large number of parents do worry about their children having food allergies, most children won't. |
"But unfortunately for a significant minority, food allergies are a very real problem, and it has a huge impact on their lives. | "But unfortunately for a significant minority, food allergies are a very real problem, and it has a huge impact on their lives. |
"It is essential doctors do listen to parents' concerns - all good paediatricians know you ignore a mother's instinct at your peril. | "It is essential doctors do listen to parents' concerns - all good paediatricians know you ignore a mother's instinct at your peril. |
"By failing to take parents' concerns seriously, it will often lead them to look elsewhere for advice. | "By failing to take parents' concerns seriously, it will often lead them to look elsewhere for advice. |
"As a result children end up on unnecessary exclusion diets or their allergies are not correctly diagnosed." | "As a result children end up on unnecessary exclusion diets or their allergies are not correctly diagnosed." |
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