Children who don’t eat eggs by one ‘more likely to develop allergy’

By Joe Morgan via SWNS

Children who don't eat an egg by the time they turn 12-months-old are far more likely to develop an allergy later in life, according to a new study.

The second most common food allergy throughout the world, egg allergy is often associated with rashes, eczema, sometimes vomiting and even anaphylaxis.

Being allergic to eggs can also lead to the development of asthma when older, say scientists.

Researchers are now advising parents to start introducing six months onwards to ensure their children do not develop an egg allergy.

The NHS advises babies can eat raw or lightly cooked eggs - whether they are from a hen, duck, goose or quail - if they are of proper quality.

In the study, 0.6 percent of children studied egg allergy at one year and 0.8 percent reported egg allergy at six-years-old.

Children with egg allergy at one-year-old and six-years-old had less frequent egg consumption at five, six, seven and 10 months of age.

"We examined infant feeding and food allergy data from birth to six years, collected by 2,237 parent surveys in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II conducted by the CDC and US-FDA," saidDr. Guilia Martone, lead author.

“We found that children who hadn’t had egg introduced by 12 months were more likely to have egg allergy at six years.”

Dr. Xiaozhong Wen, senior author, added: "Egg allergy is the second most common food allergy throughout the world.

“Current evidence suggests that early introduction of egg during infancy, followed by consistent and frequent feedings, seems protective against development of egg allergy.

"We are still investigating optimal timing of infant egg introduction and frequency of feeding.”

Allergists and pediatricians have recommended since 2017 that parents start to introduce peanut products around the time their child begins solid foods to prevent peanut allergy

The study was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual scientific meeting.