Skip to main content

Even Transient Food Allergy in Infancy Impacts Later Lung Function

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2023 -- Food allergy in infancy, whether it resolves or not, is associated with lung function deficits and asthma at age 6 years, according to a study published online July 25 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

Rachel L. Peters, Ph.D., from Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Parkville, Australia, and colleagues used data from 5,276 children aged 1 year who attended immunization sessions (Sept. 28, 2007, to Aug. 5, 2011). At 1 year of age, all children completed skin prick testing for four food allergens (egg, peanut, sesame, and either shrimp or cow's milk) and an oral food challenge (egg, peanut, and sesame). The analysis included 3,233 who also completed the health assessment at age 6 years.

The researchers found that food allergy, but not food-sensitized tolerance, at age 1 year was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at age 6 years. Transient egg allergy was associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC compared with never having egg allergy, but persistent egg allergy was not. Transient, persistent, and late-onset peanut allergy were associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC. Although some were imprecise, estimates suggested that food-sensitized tolerance and food allergy were associated with reduced forced expiratory flow at 25 percent and 75 percent of the pulmonary volume. There was no association between food allergy phenotypes and FEV1/FVC ratio. There was an association between both food-sensitized tolerance and food allergy at age 1 year with increased asthma risk at age 6 years. Asthma risk was even higher for persistent and late-onset peanut allergy.

"Lung development is related to a child's height and weight, and children with a food allergy can be shorter and lighter compared to their peers without an allergy," Peters said in a statement. "This could explain the link between food allergy and lung function. There are also similar immune responses involved in the development of both food allergy and asthma."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to industry.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted August 2023

Read this next

Peanut Consumption Starting in Infancy Provides Lasting Tolerance

THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Peanut consumption starting in infancy and continuing to age 5 years provides lasting tolerance into adolescence, according to a study published in the...

Few Adults With Moderate, Severe Asthma Receive Recommended Inhaler Regimen

THURSDAY, May 23, 2024 -- Only 14.5 percent of adult patients with moderate or severe asthma are prescribed the recommended Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) inhaler...

Nonwhite Adults With Cognitive Impairment More Likely to Live in Polluted Areas

TUESDAY, May 21, 2024 -- Nonwhite adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more likely to live in areas with higher pollution, according to a study published online May 14...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.