Australian children with serious peanut allergies are getting a new treatment through a nationwide initiative. This program, the first of its kind in the world, is being offer at 10 pediatric hospitals across Australia. The treatment involves giving infants gradually increasing doses of it powder over two years. This process aims to help them become less sensitive to peanuts.
Goals and Expert Opinions on Peanut allergy treatment
“This is the first national peanut allergy treatment offer in hospitals outside of a clinical trial setting,” said Kirsten Perrett, head of oral immunotherapy at the National Allergy Centre of Excellence. She adds, “We want to change the trajectory of allergic disease in Australia. So, that more children can go to school without the risk of a life-threatening it reaction.”
Testing and Outcomes of Peanut
After the two-year treatment period, children will have a food allergy test to see if they have achieved remission. Previously, families were advise to keep their children away from all it’s products.
The Need for the Program for Allergy
Australia has some of the highest rates of food allergies globally. About 3% of children have its allergies by the time they are 12 months old. And only 20% of these children outgrow the allergy by their teenage years. Nine-month-old Hunter Chatwin, who started developing hives from peanut butter, is part of this free treatment program. His mother, Kirsten, said, “We are participating to improve his chances of safely eating peanuts in the future.”
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The program is available for free at public hospitals and considered a major advancement. If successful, it will be extend to regional and remote areas. Although deaths from it’s allergies are rare. Nearly 20% of Australians have an allergic disease. A number expected to rise by 70% by 2050.
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