Evaluation of a Supervised Clinical Feeding Intervention

Peanut allergies affect approximately 2.5% of children; are associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and economic costs; and often lead to persistent peanut allergies in adulthood. We now know however that early introduction of peanut products to infants prior to age 7 months and maintained in the diet regularly significantly reduces the rate of peanut allergies. Unfortunately, recent research shows that even when parents know the recommendations to feed peanut products early and often, \<50% of parents report introducing peanuts by age 9 months, \<45% are offering peanut products several times a week, and \<20% are offering the recommended 2 teaspoons at each feeding. Many parents cite a fear of reactions or a lack of knowledge on how to safely feed peanut products at this age. While there are recommendations to offer the first feeding in clinic this has not been widely implemented in general pediatrics clinics and we have no research to say this is an effective way to increase peanut consumption at home. This research is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of a supervised peanut feeding clinic in a pediatric office to increase rate of guideline recommended peanut consumption in infants by 9 months of age.