Development of Peanut, Sesame, and Tree Nut Allergy in Polish Children at High Risk of Food Allergy

Introduction: Peanut allergy (PA) has become a health concern world-wide for several decades. Sesame allergy, although less prevalent, is also causing growing concern. Peanut, tree nuts, and sesame allergy co-exist in 60% of children. Although the majority of PA cases come from the general population, there are well-established risk factors for this allergy, such as eczema and egg allergy. In the Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) Study, early introduction of peanut into the diet of children with moderate-to-severe eczema or egg allergy was proven to be effective in PA prevention. This strategy has now been adopted by national allergy societies in the USA and Australia as part of the weaning guidance for the high-risk populations.However, it is not known whether early introduction of peanut is also justified in other populations where peanut consumption has traditionally been lower. Getting insight into the prevalence of nut and sesame allergy in the cohort of infants and toddlers in Central Europe is needed to guide early dietary intervention strategies.

Methods: 240 children with eczema or egg allergy will undertake extensive assessment of peanut, tree nuts (hazelnut, almond, cashew, pistachio, walnut, macadamia) and sesame allergy status through consumption history, skin testing, specific immunoglobulin E measurement (sIgE) and oral food challenges (OFCs).