It’s a breakthrough people have been waiting for.
Approximately one-third of young children diagnosed with peanut allergies may see their allergies diminish by the age of 10, with promising indicators provided by fluctuations in specific antibodies in their blood. Researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, found that changes in two immune system antibodies, known as sIgG4 and sIgE, may signal a potential resolution of peanut allergies, particularly by around age 6.
Lead author Kayla Parker, a graduate student at Murdoch, emphasized the significance of monitoring these antibody markers in children allergic to peanuts. The team’s study, published in the May issue of Allergy, involved 156 infants with confirmed peanut allergies, tracked over several years through questionnaires, skin prick tests, blood tests, and oral food challenges at ages 4, 6, and 10.
Results revealed that in approximately one-third of cases, peanut allergies naturally resolved by age 10, predominantly occurring between ages 4 and 6. Correspondingly, a notable decline in blood levels of sIgG4 and sIgE was observed over time among these children, suggesting a correlation between decreasing antibody levels and allergy resolution.
Conversely, children exhibiting high or increasing levels of these antibodies were less likely to outgrow their peanut allergies spontaneously. Parker highlighted the potential of utilizing these biomarkers to prioritize early treatment options for such individuals, should they become available.
Prior to this study, the utility of antibodies as biomarkers for tracking the resolution of peanut allergies during primary school years remained unclear. Parker’s research sheds light on the potential of antibody fluctuations as predictive indicators of allergy resolution, offering valuable insights for clinicians in managing peanut allergies in young children.
Discussion about this post