PhD defence D.H.J. (Dirk) Verhoeven

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation: 

Since 2015, early introduction of peanut in the diet of infants with eczema is propagated to reduce the chance of developing peanut allergies. The PeanutNL cohort study is an evaluation study following 892 infants with a high risk of peanut allergy that were referred to pediatric allergology centers for evaluation of a peanut allergy. The results from this cohort study show that age >8 months and severity of eczema are the main risk factors for having a peanut allergy. A first-degree family member with (pea)nut allergy was not a risk factor for peanut allergy. Furthermore, 2/3 infants with skin reactions and/or vomiting after introduction of peanut did not have a final peanut allergy yet, and introduction of peanut resulted in tolerance to peanut in those infants. Performing food challenges in infants with mild to moderate reactions to peanut at home < 12 months is therefore recommended.