FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEANUT ALLERGY IN CHILDHOOD

Lack G, Fox D, Northstone K, Golding J. N Engl J Med . 2003;348:977–985 Because peanut allergy has increased in prevalence and is an important cause of life-threatening reactions, the authors sought to investigate possible determinants of peanut allergy. Data were obtained from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. This geographically defined cohort included 13 971 preschool-aged children. Forty-nine of those children had a history of peanut allergy. Thirty-six of those 49 underwent skin testing, and 29 demonstrated positive results. Peanut allergy was confirmed for 23 children with double-blind, placebo-controlled, food challenge. Pregnant women were enrolled and questioned about their allergy history before …