Peanut allergies and pregnancy

March 21, 3:14 PMDC Metro Area Parenting ExaminerMichelle Flannigan

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This month, researchers found that giving small amounts of peanuts to children who are allergic to them may help them overcome their allergy. That is great, but wouldn't it be better if these kids were never allergic in the first place? Peanut allergies doubled from 1997 to 2002, and the numbers continue to rise. Today, 3.3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts.

For a long time, doctors recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women refrain from eating peanuts, in order to stave off the allergy in their children. They may have done exactly the opposite.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recently published a report that youngsters who are not exposed to peanuts are more likely to develop allergies to them. Ten times more likely, to be exact.

There you have it: a legitimate reason to indulge in a few Snickers bars while pregnant and nursing.