Allergy/Immunology

Answer 4 Delay introduction of solid foods. Infants at high risk for developing food allergies can be identified based on a strong family history of atopy. Once a high-risk infant is identified, the AAP recommends exclusive breast feeding for 6 months, eliminating peanuts and nuts from the lactation diet, calcium and vitamin supplementation during restricted lactation diets, and avoiding soy formulas.4 Hypoallergenic infant formulas (extensively hydrolyzed case in formulas) should be used when not breast feeding. A delay in introducing solid foods is also recommended, with the least allergenic foods being introduced at age 6 months.5 Cow’s milk can be introduced at 12 months, eggs at 24 months, and peanuts, nuts, and shellfish at 36 months. Exclusive breast feeding for 12 months is not a recommendation of the AAP. REFERENCES 4. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Nutrition. Hypoallergenic infant formulas. Pediatrics 2000; 106(2 Pt 1):346-9. 5. Zeiger RS. Food allergen avoidance in the prevention of food allergy in infants and children. Pediatrics 2003:111(6 Pt 3):1662-71. Click here to return to the questions

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