Food allergies can be triggered in infancy, a new review says. Here’s how – CBC

Skin factors like eczema in first year of life, delaying start of peanuts among factors that increase the odds

Feb 09, 2026

Children face five major risk factors early in life that can set them up to develop food allergies, says a Canadian-led team of researchers who sifted through studies on 2.8 million participants in 40 countries, one of the largest reviews of its kind.

Those included infant eczema — a condition where the skin is dry, red and itchy — a family history of food allergy, delayed introduction of foods like peanuts or fish after 12 months, as well as parental migration, the team reported in a meta-analysis published in Monday’s issue of JAMA Pediatrics.

Food allergies are rising worldwide and can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis. But predicting who will develop them remains a challenge. The review’s authors believe the results could help lead to new prevention strategies.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/food-allergy-children-review-9.7082021