New CHOP Research Signals Hope for Reducing Childhood Food Allergies

Recent research from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), published in 2025, confirms that introducing peanuts to infants early can dramatically lower the risk of developing IgE-mediated peanut allergies. This new evidence reshapes how families and pediatric providers approach allergy prevention, bringing science-backed clarity and practical solutions to a topic often surrounded by worry and confusion.

Peanut allergy remains one of the most common—and potentially severe—childhood food allergies (1). Symptoms can appear within minutes of exposure and range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Over the past few decades, peanut allergies have risen, leaving families searching for answers and effective prevention strategies.

Before 2015, many pediatricians recommended waiting to introduce peanuts and other allergenic foods, believing that early exposure might increase the risk of allergies. However, a series of landmark studies, including the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) trial (2) and now CHOP’s latest research (3), turned this thinking upside down.

CHOP researchers analyzed health records from children ages 0 to 3 in two cohorts: “pre-guidelines” for diagnosis between 2012 and 2014, and “post-guidelines” for data between 2015 and 2017. Their findings are clear: infants who try peanut-containing foods between four and six months of age have a much lower chance of developing peanut allergies later. The study predicts that for every 200 infants who received early peanut exposure, one child avoided a peanut allergy diagnosis.

The numbers tell a compelling story. After new guidelines encouraged early introduction, the rate of peanut allergy dropped from 0.79% to 0.45%. Overall, peanut allergy rates decreased by as much as 43%, and the risk of any IgE-mediated food allergy fell by up to 38%. These results hold up across diverse communities and age groups, giving families and providers confidence that early introduction works.

Major organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)—now recommend introducing allergenic foods like peanuts as early as four to six months, provided your child is developmentally ready for solids.

These guidelines apply to most infants, regardless of family history or risk factors. If your child has severe eczema or an existing egg allergy, consult your pediatrician before introducing peanuts. For healthy infants, starting with small amounts of peanut-containing foods is both safe and effective.

The new CHOP research brings hope and reassurance to families navigating the world of childhood food allergies. By introducing peanuts early and following expert guidelines, parents and caregivers can take a simple, science-backed step toward protecting children’s health. With pediatrician guidance, practical resources, and the support of technology, early allergen introduction is now a proven path to reducing peanut allergies—and building a healthier future for every child.

Sources:

(1) https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1102099
(2) https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850
(3) https://www.research.chop.edu/cornerstone-blog/are-early-food-allergen-introduction-guidelines-helping-to-reduce-ige-mediated-food-allergy