Patterns of allergenic food introduction in Los Angeles inner-city children.

Background: Early introduction of allergenic foods is recommended to reduce the risk of developing food allergies, but it is unclear whether recommendations are being followed.

Objective: We examine patterns of allergenic food introduction in inner-city children enrolled in an academic pediatric practice in the greater Los Angeles area.

Methods: This was a prospective study with patients ages 12 to 24 months recruited from the pediatrics continuity clinic at an inner-city tertiary medical center in the greater Los Angeles area. Caregivers were asked via anonymous surveys about their child's history of atopic diseases and at what age they first introduced egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shrimp, and shellfish into their child's diet.

Results: Two hundred caregivers responded to the survey. The average age of introduction of egg was 9.2 months, soy 10 months, wheat 9.3 months, peanut 10.5 months, tree nuts 10.9 months, fish 10.9 months, shrimp 11.3 months, and shellfish 11.5 months. Between ages 4-11 months, 65.3% of children were introduced egg, 19.1% soy, 55.8% wheat, 28.6% peanut, 17.1% tree nuts, 28.1% fish, 13.6% shrimp, and 7.0% shellfish. By age 24 months, 92% of children were introduced egg, 37.7% soy, 85.4% wheat, 67.3% peanut, 47.7% tree nuts, 67.8% fish, 48.2% shrimp, and 30.2% shellfish. Of the 14 children with eczema or egg allergy, 26.1% were introduced peanut by age 4-6 months and 50% by age 4-11 months.

Conclusion: Despite recommendations, inner-city caregivers may not be introducing allergenic foods in a timely manner to their children.