EAACI 2020 Guidelines: Preventing Food Allergies in Infants

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) released updated guidelines in 2020 to help prevent food allergies in infants. These guidelines offer a fresh approach to infant nutrition, aiming to reduce the risk of developing food allergies through early dietary choices.

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Key Recommendations from the EAACI 2020 Guidelines

The EAACI 2020 guidelines provide several important recommendations for parents:

1. Avoid Regular Cow's Milk Formula in the First Week: For breastfed infants, it’s advised not to use regular cow's milk formula as a supplement during the first week of life.
   

2. Introduce Well-Cooked Eggs Early: As part of complementary feeding, introduce well-cooked (but not raw or lightly cooked) eggs to your infant’s diet. This should be done by one year of age.
   

3. Peanut Introduction in High Allergy Areas: In regions where peanut allergies are common, introduce peanuts as part of complementary feeding. The best time to introduce eggs and peanuts is between four to six months of age.
   

4. No Diet Restrictions for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Mothers: The guidelines do not recommend that mothers avoid potential allergens during pregnancy or breastfeeding to prevent food allergies in their infants.
   

5. Other Considerations: There are no specific recommendations on using soy protein formula, vitamin supplements, fish oil, prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or infancy. The guidelines also do not suggest altering the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

   
   

Understanding the EAACI 2020 Guidelines: Preventing Food Allergies

The EAACI 2020 guidelines represent a shift towards the early introduction of certain foods, like peanuts and well-cooked eggs, to help prevent food allergies. This new approach is based on moderate certainty evidence, marking a change from earlier guidelines that advised more caution.

What This Means for Parents

Here’s how parents can apply these guidelines:

1. Start Complementary Feeding Around 4-6 Months: Introduce a variety of foods, including potential allergens like well-cooked eggs and peanuts, during this period.
   

2. Continue Breastfeeding: Maintain breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods. Avoid supplementing with cow's milk formula in the first week for breastfed infants.
   

3. No Need to Restrict Maternal Diet: There’s no evidence that avoiding potential allergens during pregnancy or breastfeeding reduces the risk of food allergies in infants.
   

4. Consult Healthcare Professionals: Before introducing allergenic foods, especially if your child is at high risk for allergies, talk to healthcare providers for personalized advice.

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Conclusion

The EAACI 2020 guidelines offer a proactive approach to preventing food allergies in infants and young children. By introducing certain foods early and maintaining a diverse diet, parents can help build their child's tolerance and potentially reduce the risk of food allergies. Remember, every child is unique, so it’s important to tailor these recommendations to your child’s needs and consult with healthcare providers for personalized advice.

Halken S, Muraro A, de Silva D, Khaleva E, Angier E, Arasi S, et al. EAACI guideline: Preventing the development of food allergy in infants and young children (2020 update). Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2021 Jul;32(5):843-858. doi: 10.1111/pai.13496.