Money for peanuts in WA bid to cut allergy rates

• Medically supervised 'peanut clinics' to test benefits of early exposure

• 400 infant participants sought for trial

• Part of $2.2 million health research program to improve patient outcomes

• Potential healthcare savings of more than $2.4 million a year 

Perth doctors will trial safe, medically supervised 'peanut clinics' in an attempt to reduce Western Australia's rising rates of peanut allergy.

Health Minister John Day said allergy researchers were hoping to test 400 infants for the potential benefits of early exposure to peanut products.

"Peanut allergy is the most common cause of severe food allergy and is extremely distressing and potentially deadly," Mr Day said.

"It is thought to affect about three per cent of children and, with rates of peanut allergy rising steadily over the past 20 years, we hope this project will help turn the tide."

Early exposure to peanuts is known to reduce the risk of allergy development in later childhood, with current guidelines recommending that children at high risk be exposed from as early as four months of age.

"Unfortunately, parental apprehension at introducing peanuts is delaying exposure for many children, with only 20 per cent at high risk of developing peanut allergy being exposed within the optimal timeframe," the Minister said.

Results from the safe 'peanut clinics' will allow researchers to compare the incidence of allergy among groups of children exposed early with those exposed later.

"If the intervention proves effective, 'peanut clinics' could be introduced across a variety of settings including GP practices and child health clinics," Mr Day said.

"This would reduce trauma, improve outcomes for young families and deliver estimated healthcare savings of more than $2.4 million a year.

"The trial is being funded as part of the latest $2.2 million round of the Liberal National Government's Research Translation Project (RTP) grants which aim to increase health system efficiency."

The peanut allergy project is being led by Dr Michael O'Sullivan, a consultant immunologist with Princess Margaret and Fiona Stanley hospitals, and is expected to start in March 2017.

Fact File

• Risk factors for infants developing peanut allergy include eczema, egg allergy and a family history of allergies

• Projects funded under the RTP program must be completed within two years

• For more information, visit http://www.health.wa.gov.au  

Minister's office - 6552 6200