Research Centre: SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme, Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Location: 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia

Research Centre: Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital
Location: 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands WA 6009, Australia

Research Centre: Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, Nepean Hospital
Location: Nepean Clinical School, Level 5, South Block, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood NSW 2747, Australia

Research Centre: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Location: Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia

Chief Investigator: Dr. Debra J. Palmer
Ethics Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the Women’s & Children’s Health Network, Adelaide, SA

What is the purpose of this research? 

By 1 year of age, 10% (1 in every 10) of babies will develop a food allergy. Researchers have designed this study to help us develop recommendations about how much egg and peanut to eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding to reduce egg and peanut allergies in babies.

This research project is testing whether the amount of eggs and peanuts a mother eats during pregnancy and breastfeeding has an influence on her baby’s food allergy development. Researchers think that the ideal time to prevent food allergy may be during pregnancy and breastfeeding, before you introduce solid foods to your baby. However it is not known how many eggs and peanuts eaten by a mother will help to reduce the risk of her baby developing food allergies. The study team plans to compare two different amounts of eggs and peanuts eaten by mothers: ‘a standard egg and peanut diet’, which is typical for most pregnant women, and ‘a high egg and peanut diet’. Participants will be asked to follow the diet advice for their group from 22 weeks gestation until their baby is 4 months of age. The study team will compare the outcomes of egg and peanut allergies in the babies at one year of age. 

What are the possible benefits of taking part? 

The study team cannot guarantee or promise that you or your baby will receive any benefits from this research. This study will help us develop recommendations about how much egg and peanut to eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding to reduce egg and peanut allergies in babies, which you and your family may benefit from in the future. 

If there is any aspect of breastfeeding that you would like more support or advice on, the study team will arrange for you to be referred to a Lactation Consultant, the cost of which will be covered by the research study.

You will be provided with the updated Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) infant feeding and allergy prevention guidelines, which provide advice on the introduction of solid foods into the infant’s diet at around 6 months of age. 

You will also be provided with education on recognising the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and advice of what to do in such circumstances, consistent with the information provided in the ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions.

Who is eligible to participate? 

Pregnant women who: 

1. Are less than 23 weeks gestation (singleton pregnancy)
2. Have at least one family member (you, partner or child) with a history of allergic disease (asthma, eczema, hay fever or food allergy)
3. Do not have egg or peanut allergy

Please note:

Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the study team is using remote means (like using phone appointments) to ensure the safety of participants as well as the study staff. This means the study is currently not doing any in-person clinic visits.