Management of Risk Factors to Decrease Peanut Allergy

Management of Risk Factors to Decrease Peanut Allergy Occurrences in the Youth Population Emily Vukovich, MS, with Dr. Kathleen Rylance, DNP, APN, CNP De. Paul University School of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60604 BACKGROUND RESEARCH QUESTIONS RESULTS v A recent increase in the prevalence of peanut allergy development has become a significant public health concern. v In Western countries, 1. 4% to 3% of children have a peanut allergy, and prevalence as tripled in countries like the United States and United Kingdom which equates to about 100, 000 new cases annually. v There are many risk factors that have been determined to cause development of peanut allergies. v These risk factors include genetics, race, sex, primary, and secondary prevention. v Prior to 2016, it was recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other professional groups to delay introduction of highly allergenic foods, such as peanuts, to children for 1 to 3 years. v Previous guidelines have given no evidence that preventing an infant from allergenic foods, such as peanuts, stunts the development of peanut allergy. v It is important to identify if early exposure to peanut products prevents occurrences of peanut allergy development in the youth population 1. Does early introduction of peanut protein reduce and prevent the prevalence of peanut allergy in children? v Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) trial • Trial to test and see if early exposure to peanuts prevents development of peanut allergy in infants • Peanut allergy development in Jewish children living in United Kingdom 10 times more likely than children with similar background living in Israel • Consumption group consumed peanut protein (6 g) per week until 60 months of age • Avoidance group did not eat peanut products until 60 months of age • Consumption group less likely to develop allergy when tested at age 60 months, than their counterparts who avoided peanut products • LEAP-ON Study • Participants from LEAP trial continued to consume or avoid peanuts for 12 months after LEAP trial • At 72 months of age, 18. 4% of children who avoided peanuts for 12 months after LEAP trial developed a new peanut intolerance • 4. 8% of children who continued to consume peanut products did not develop a new allergy 2. How does immunity play a role in allergy disease and later development of peanut allergy? PROBLEM STATEMENT It is essential to understand the most current research about new guideline of early exposure to highly allergenic foods. With the recent and sudden increase in peanut allergy development, nurses should be aware of current guidelines and how to educate their patients. METHODOLOGY An integrative literature review was used to analyze the studies done on peanut allergy prevention in the youth population. The focus was on the interventions and outcomes of early exposure to peanut protein in high risk and no risk youth populations. . Literature was obtained from Pub. Med and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL) Sources were gathered which included the key terms (a) peanut allergy, (b) peanut allergy risk factors, (c) management, and (d) prevention. NURSING CONSIDERATIONS REFERENCES Please see attachment. Technology, research, and the internet are greatly changing the world of medicine and nursing. Many people, turn to the internet or others for medical advice. Thus, the most important nursing implication for this study is nursing awareness towards patient education and health promotion. A nurse should use patient centered care when working with children and their families. As a nurse, the most current research should be used when giving advice or educating parents on what is best for their child, in regard to early exposure to peanut products. These two studies have shown that early exposure can greatly reduce the chance that a child will develop a peanut allergy. Nurses should also be able to recognize and work with parents who are more skeptical to this new research. CONCLUSION One of the roles of a nurse is to provide patient education in order to maintain and promote health. While there is more extensive research that needs to be done with regard to the genetic factors of the development of peanut allergies, researchers who published the LEAP and LEAP-ON study have shown that early intervention of exposure to peanuts can greatly reduce the development of the allergy. Recognizing that some parents might be reluctant to change with this new research is also an important nursing implication. Nurses must stay current when teaching patients about new information.