Peanut allergy is the most common cause of fatal and near-fatal food-allergic reactions and egg allergy is among the two most common causes of food-induced anaphylaxis. The proposed research will explore the development of sensitization to these food(s) in infants based on maternal consumption or avoidance during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The goals of this study include defining the role of egg and peanut consumption or avoidance during pregnancy and via human milk in food sensitization and identifying the underlying biological mechanisms leading to sensitization or tolerance. The study population will include 500 mother/infant dyads who plan to exclusively feed breastmilk to healthy infants. We expect approximately 25% will be recruited locally and the rest from across the United States. This is a national, parallel, two arm, one-to-one allocation, single blinded, randomized controlled trial. Each arm of the study defines maternal diet from 27 weeks gestation through their baby's fourth month with some consuming peanut and egg and some avoiding these foods.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
500
Subjects consume peanut and egg from 27 weeks of pregnancy through the first 4 months feeding breastmilk to their infant.
Subjects avoid eating peanut and egg from 27 weeks of pregnancy through the first 4 months feeding breastmilk to their infant.
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, United States
RECRUITINGEgg or peanut sensitization
Determine the proportion of high-risk infants who have developed egg or peanut sensitization at four months (prior to introduction of these foods to the infant).
Time frame: four months
Peanut and egg specific IgG and IgG4
Levels of infant peanut and egg specific IgG and IgG4
Time frame: four months
Antibodies in maternal blood
Quantify egg- and PN-specific IgG and IgG4 antibody concentrations in maternal blood measured during pregnancy and at four months.
Time frame: four months
Egg allergy
Questionnaire for parents to report any signs of egg allergy in their child.
Time frame: 12 months
Egg and peanut specific IgE
Measure levels of infant egg- and peanut-specific IgE.
Time frame: four months
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