The comeback nut

Introducing a baby to potentially allergenic foods can be nerve-wracking. But a recent study suggests it doesn’t have to be, at least not when it comes to peanuts. Published Oct. 20 in Pediatrics online, the study reported a nearly one-third reduction in peanut allergy incidence for children since 2015.

For decades, doctors told parents that waiting until age 3 to introduce peanuts to their children would lower the risk of allergy development. But a groundbreaking 2015 study bucked this advice, showing that infants exposed to peanuts early were over 80% less likely to develop a peanut allergy. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) responded with updated guidance in 2017, recommending infants be introduced to peanut butter products as early as 4 months old. The Pediatrics paper, which analyzed electronic medical records for nearly 125,000 kids under 3, noted a 27.2% drop in peanut allergy risk after the 2015 study was released, and a 43% reduction after the 2017 NIAID guideline update. Incidence of all food allergies fell by 36.3% after 2017. “Early allergen introduction works. For the first time in recent history, it seems like we’re starting to put a brake pedal on the epidemic of food allergy in this country,” lead study author David Hill told NPR.

More sunshine, please

Pregnant women should prioritize sunbathing, according to a new study. Medical experts at Sweden’s Uppsala University found that women with Vitamin D deficiencies are at greater risk of experiencing a difficult delivery. Publishing their work Oct. 8 in Bone online, a team of doctors sought to understand the effect of osteomalacia, a bone softening condition caused by a lack of Vitamin D, on birth outcomes. The researchers collected data on 71 Swedish and 52 Somali pregnant women over a two-year period. They took blood samples to assess baseline Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate levels. Physical examinations assessed the presence of at least one clinical symptom associated with osteomalacia. After two years, the doctors found that women with osteomalacia during pregnancy were twice as likely to require emergency C-section, and five times more likely to require vacuum-assisted delivery. Women with osteomalacia reported far less sun exposure than did those without it. —H.F.

Piggyback?

Tim Andrews of New Hampshire now holds the record for longest time living with a pig kidney transplant. After 271 days, the 67-year-old’s genetically modified pig kidney was removed on Oct. 23 due to decreased function. Andrews, who has end-stage kidney disease, returned to six hours of dialysis three times a week. Andrews reported feeling more energized with the transplant, and was able to do things like take long walks. He is the fourth living U.S. patient to receive a pig kidney. —H.F.