AUSTRALIA – The world’s first peanut allergy treatment for infants has been launched in Australia, offering new hope to families in the form of cutting-edge oral immunotherapy.
This is good news to families dealing with the challenges of peanut allergies, a condition that can have life-threatening implications.
Peanut allergies are a major public health concern, particularly in developed countries where the prevalence has been steadily increasing. In Australia, it is estimated that around 3% of children have a peanut allergy.
The severity of this allergy varies, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms while others face the risk of severe anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The pioneering treatment program in Australia focuses on a method known as Oral Immunotherapy (OIT). This treatment involves the administration of small, controlled amounts of peanut protein to allergic infants, gradually increasing the dosage over time under medical supervision.
The goal is to build up the child’s tolerance to peanuts, thereby reducing the likelihood of a severe allergic reaction upon accidental exposure.
An allergy occurs when your body’s natural defences overreact to exposure to a particular substance, treating it as an invader and sending out chemicals to defend against it.
The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction that can impair breathing, cause a dramatic drop in your blood pressure and affect your heart rate. Anaphylaxis can come on within minutes of exposure to the trigger food.
Dr. Kirsten Perrett, a leading researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, explained the potential benefits of this approach saying that oral immunotherapy can significantly reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions in children with peanut allergies.
“This provides a much-needed sense of security for parents and caregivers who are constantly worried about accidental exposure,” he said.
The program targets infants diagnosed with peanut allergies at an early age because young children’s immune systems are more flexible, making treatments more likely to work than if started later in life.
The controlled exposure in a monitored clinical setting ensures that any adverse reactions can be managed promptly, making the process as safe as possible.
In addition to the treatment program, families dealing with peanut allergies can access a range of resources and support services.
Educational materials about allergen management, emergency action plans and nutritional guidance for maintaining a balanced diet while avoiding allergens are crucial components of comprehensive care.
The development of this program is backed by extensive research and successful clinical trials. Studies have shown that Oral Immunotherapy can increase tolerance to peanuts in a significant proportion of treated individuals.
In some cases, children who were once highly allergic to peanuts have been able to consume them with no adverse effects after undergoing the treatment.
