This week peanuts have been big news. According to a study by the American Thoracic Society, moms who consume fairly large amounts of peanuts during pregnancy increase their child’s likelihood of developing asthma by 50%. (One of many of these stories can be seen here.)
While the report makes little mention of the connection between consuming peanuts during pregnancy and a child developing an allergy to them, I think the possibility should still be considered. There are not yet definitive studies out that conclusively draw this conclusion. However, any parent with a PA child should consider this possibility if they get pregnant again. Why take the chance of having two PA children?
Shortly after Tyler’s diagnosis of PA in 2006, my sister in law, an RN, mentioned this possibility to me. My sister in law has two children allergic to tree nuts. She said that another RN told her there is a possible connection. We both reluctantly admitted that we had eaten what our children were allergic to in rather large amounts while pregnant. (This leads to a whole “Mommy guilt” that is a post for another day.)
The greatest risk, if there is one, appears to be in the last trimester. In fact, when I was pregnant with Tyler, I did eat a large amount of peanuts. During, you guessed it, the last trimester, I discovered my “middle of the night cravings” that so many pregnant women have were quickly satisfied with a piece of peanut butter toast. This was quick and it allowed me to get back to bed quickly. I also felt this was a very healthy snack. Gasp!
Nursing is another consideration. I feel certain this did contribute to the severity of Tyler’s allergy. As you can see in our PA story, his eczema became worse after my eating peanuts. Since the rash also got worse after not eating peanuts, I decided it wasn’t nuts. What I had not considered (but the doctor certainly should have) was multiple food allergies. Turns out, my little man was allergic to milk and eggs, too.
Had I realized there was any possible risk for this life-threatening allergy during my pregnancy or nursing, I never, ever would have eaten them. I avoided caffeine even though my doctor said it was fine in small amounts. I wasn’t taking any chances with my baby. And to think I was eating peanuts!
Needless to say, I steered clear of the peanuts during my second pregnancy. They were not even in the house since we maintained a peanut free home. My second child, Dylan, is 20 months old and, of course, has never come within five feet of a peanut. I do, however, allow him to eat things processed in a facility with them. In a worst case scenario, an EpiPen is available. In addition, his pediatrician has ordered a RAST test that I will take him in for soon, just to be on the safe side. The thought of having two PA children is incomprehensible!
I hope, even if there are not definitive studies out for several years, more pregnant women hear of the possible risk, particularly those with food allergies in their families, like us. Hopefully, moms-to-be don’t smoke or drink due to the possible risks. There should also be a little thought given to nut consumption, as well. Even if they choose to eat them, they understand on some level, there is at least a possible risk.
I would love to hear from other PA moms on this. Did you eat peanuts (or other foods your child is allergic to) during your pregnancy? If so, how much? Please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. I would love to hear!
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6 comments:
Wow. Your initial statistic is staggering! 50% higher risk of asthma?!
I have a child with a peanut allergy and he does have asthma. The severity of it seems to be declining as he gets older though. He is 12 now and rarely needs to use an inhaler.
But I don't remember eating a lot of peanuts or peanut butter while being pregnant with him. I ate a lot of peanut M & Ms with his older sister who has no allergies. The only difference I can think of between the pregnancy with him and those of his siblings is that I was eating VERY healthy throughout his pregnancy. I only gained 18 pounds with him. Right before I got pregnant with him my mom had quadruple bypass surgery at age 51 and I was freaked so I took big steps to watch my fat intake. I can't imagine peanuts fit in with that diet plan.
I always wondered if my lack of fat affected his health. Hmm...seems we Moms can find guilt everywhere, huh?
Very interesting and important information for pregnant women, Robyn.
I too feel the guilt of eating peanuts during pregnancy. Had I only known, I may have been able to save my son from the pain of his PA reaction. I wish that doctors would warn their patients of this! I just found out about this a few days ago, but have made it my mission to tell every pregnant woman I met. I couldn't save my son from this allergy, but maybe I can save someone else's son.
i had twins and only one of them has an allergy to peanuts. i do remember eating my fair share of peanut butter/nuts while pregnant.
i know i'm a little late on this but my nutritionist told me i SHOULD eat peanuts and peanut butter even though i didn't really eat them before. i just bought a jar of peanut butter and one jar lasts about a year in my house. good thing i only have a spoonful every 2 months now that i've done some internet research on peanut allergies. oh, and i'm in my second trimester so i can go cold turkey in the the third. thanks.
- g, expecting in july from nyc
I was so happy to find your website today! I am the mother of a 20-month-old girl who has a severe PA. I ate lots of peanut butter throughout my pregnancy and was never once told by my OB/GYN or anyone else that it was harmful. The only thing I had read was that if you or a family member had a PA, then to avoid it. Since no one in our family had allergies, I thought I was safe. It's unfortunate that there's such conflicting information on pregnancy and PAs. I am pregnant with my second now and will not go near peanuts. It's important that women understand what a danger it can be.
I have two boys 15 months apart. With my first son I had a perfect pregnancy and a perfect natural delivery. He has absolutely no food allergies at all and he has always been very healthy. My second pregnancy started only four months after my first was born. My second son was born with severe eczema, thrush and later developed colic that lasted for months. We later found out that he had allergies to milk, egg, wheat, soy and peanut. Fortunatley we gained hope when he outgrew his soy allergy, so now at two years old, he is finally off ellecare expensive formula, and he loves chocolate soy milk. Never have we been able to completely clear his eczema, but as long as he is happy and able to enjoy being a kid, all we can do is pray and hope. I feel for every parent out there who is going through the same thing we are, or any parent who has had to watch their child suffer. As far as information about my peanut intake during pregnancy is the only difference between the food I ate from my first pregnancy and my second, was that I craved peanuts and peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Almost everynight before bed, I too would indulge in a peanut butter and honey sandwich or a banana smeared in peanut butter. Sometimes i would even scoop up peanut butter on a spoon and lick it clean. What I wondered is if eating peanut butter caused my sons food allergies or if maby because he already had the allergy it made me crave peanuts and peanut butter. I remember reading somewhere that people with food allergies actually crave the foods they are allergic to. Just a thought. sorry my blog is so long, It felt so god to speak about our experience as a way of venting. My hopes and prayers are with you all. We need a cure.
-Austins Mom
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