February 2024

 

Although I have retired from my clinical practice I will continue to author informative articles for THE INFORMED PARENT.

 

An article that appeared in JAMA, Association Between Earlier Introduction of Peanut and Prevalence of Peanut Allergy in Infants in Australia by V. Soriano, et al, 2022; 328 (1): 48-56 gave the Australian experience. The authors concluded that the early introduction of peanuts in infants was not associated with a statistically significant change in the prevalence of peanut allergy. The United States reviewer of this article concluded that there may be other factors that need to be considered with this problem.

 

Once again we should not jump to any conclusions when new modes of prevention or therapy are suggested. A careful wait-and-see period is always the best parental approach. For my patients and my own children I have always practiced a conservative approach to trying new things. This article will cause more studies to look at this problem. Let us see what further researchers write on it. I will keep you informed.

 

Here is some good news on the infectious disease front. GA Dunay, et al published an article in the J. Clin Immunol. 2023; 43 (1): 46-56 entitled Long-Term Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

 

It showed that children over six months developed antibodies against the Covid virus that lasted for a sustained period, thus providing some immunity to the virus. This is not surprising with our experience with other viral diseases. How long these antibodies will persist is not known. Nevertheless, the fact that there are persistent antibodies is reassuring. I’m sure that other researchers will give us more information in the near future. Stay tuned and be informed.

 

The final article appeared in Lancet Neurol, 2023 Aug; 22 (8);712-722, authored by KJ Meador, et al entitled Parents: Heal Thyself.

 

It gave reassuring information for pregnant women who have to take anti-seizure medication. The paper showed that there were no negative cognitive effects to the product of the pregnancy by age three years. This should reduce the anxiety of the mother who needs these medications.

 

I will keep scanning the pediatric literature in order to keep our readers truly informed parents.