Early Formula Feeding Linked to Higher Peanut Allergy Risk: Study
Researchers have found in a new study that introduction of baby formula within the first three days of life significantly increases the risk of developing peanut and multiple food allergies. The study emphasizes the vital role of colostrum, rich in immune-boosting bioactive compounds in supporting infant gut and immune health, benefits that are absent in formula milk. The study was published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by Maheshwar B. and colleagues.
Food allergies are an increasingly recognized public health issue, and millions of children across the globe are affected. They not only undermine health but also significantly affect the quality of life for the affected children as well as their families. Given that food allergy may be lifelong and life-threatening, it is important to identify early and avoidable risk factors.
The research, within the Australian ORIGINS cohort, investigated data from 666 mother–infant pairs. Infants were placed into two groups according to their feeding pattern over the first three days of life:
• Exclusive Colostrum-Fed (ECF): Those whose infants were fed only breastmilk.
• Partial Colostrum-Fed (PCF): Those whose infants were fed formula and breastmilk.
Researchers assessed development of IgE-mediated food allergies—namely to egg, peanut, cow's milk, and cashew—between 12 to 18 months of age. Outcomes for food allergies were measured using skin prick tests and maternal-reported immediate food allergy reaction to exposure.
Key Findings
• Incomplete colostrum feeding was very common, with 46% of the infants being in the PCF group.
In comparison to entirely colostrum-fed infants, PCF infants showed:
• A 4.47 times increased risk of developing peanut allergy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.47; 95% CI: 1.04–19.12].
• An 11.44 times increased risk of developing multiple food allergies [aOR 11.44; 95% CI: 1.48–88.55].
• Subsequent analysis showed that the timing of peanut introduction also affected the risk.
• Among PCF infants, those who were introduced to peanut after 7 months had a 5.45-fold increased risk [aOR 5.45; 95% CI: 1.18–25.11] compared to earlier introduction.
• For ECF infants, however, they had a consistently low risk of peanut allergy whether peanuts were introduced at an early or late age.
• The researchers also measured whether the frequency of colostrum feeding affected allergy risk.
• They found that infants fed nine or more colostrum feeds a day within the first 72 hours of life had no cases of peanut allergy, regardless of whether they were partly formula-fed.
Partial feeding with colostrum could be an underappreciated but important risk factor for the development of peanut and multiple food allergies during childhood. Maintaining sufficient intake of colostrum in the initial 72 hours of life seems to offer protective benefits against these allergies regardless of formula exposure.
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