By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Australia is introducing a pioneering program to treat babies with peanut allergies, aiming to build immunity to this potentially life threatening condition. Under the supervision of selected paediatric hospitals, eligible infants will receive gradually increasing doses of peanut powder daily for a minimum of two years to reduce their sensitivity.
While oral immunotherapy has been available in clinical trials and specialist allergy centers globally, this initiative marks the first instance of it being adopted as a national care model for peanut allergies. Known for its high allergy rates, Australia sees about 10% of its infants diagnosed with food sensitivities, earning it the moniker "allergy capital of the world."
Peanut allergies affect approximately 3% of Australian children by the age of one. Unlike other food allergies, few children outgrow peanut allergies, making it the most common food allergy among school aged children.
“This could be the breakthrough we've been hoping for to halt this severe allergy,” said Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney. The program, which is free of charge, is available only to children under 12 months who have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy and are under the care of one of the ten participating hospitals nationwide.
Program lead Tim Brettig explained that the dosing schedule will be carefully tailored for each child until they reach a "maintenance dose," which they will continue for two years. While some children may experience side effects, including allergic reactions, most in this age group have mild reactions that do not require treatment.
The goal is to increase the children’s tolerance threshold, reducing both the risk and anxiety associated with peanut exposure. The effectiveness will be assessed through a food allergy test at the end of the treatment. “In some cases, the threshold may be so high that they can freely include peanuts in their diet, while for others, it may be raised to a level where accidental exposure doesn’t trigger an allergic reaction,” Brettig noted.
Professor Kirsten Perrett, Director of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence , emphasized that the program aims to change the course of allergic diseases in Australia, allowing more children to attend school without the threat of a severe peanut reaction. NACE will evaluate the program's effectiveness and safety, with hopes of expanding it to more hospitals and potentially to other food allergies.
However, medical professionals caution against families attempting oral immunotherapy at home without supervision. “This program is not suitable for everyone,” Dr. Brettig stressed.
