The Project

EpisodesGuest InterviewsWatch 10 LIVEArticles
More
Back

Australian Babies To Trial World-First Treatment To Cure Nut Allergies

Australian Babies To Trial World-First Treatment To Cure Nut Allergies

Australian babies with peanut allergies will be offered oral immunotherapy in a world-first program.

Ten paediatric hospitals across five states have partnered with the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), hosted at Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), to be the first globally to introduce a nationwide peanut oral immunotherapy program into mainstream care.

About three in every 100 Australian children have a peanut allergy, which is usually treated by strictly avoiding nuts in diets.

The free program aims to safely build a tolerance to the allergen and hopefully achieving remission.

Those eligible will follow a carefully planned daily dosing schedule of peanut powder, taken at home, over two years.

Professor Kirsten Perrett, paediatric allergist and director of the NACE, said unlike other clinical trials, the treatment would be offered as a new standardised model of care.

"Under this Australia-wide model, a food allergy test at the end of the treatment will help determine if remission was achieved," Prof Perrett said on Wednesday.

"Ultimately, we want to change the trajectory of allergic disease in Australia so that more children can go to school without the risk of a life-threatening peanut reaction."

With AAP

Debate Rages Over Australia's Defence Budget
NEXT STORY

Debate Rages Over Australia's Defence Budget

    Advertisement

    Related Articles

    Debate Rages Over Australia's Defence Budget

    Debate Rages Over Australia's Defence Budget

    Politicians often like to say that the federal budget should be treated like the household budget. So, what percentage of your household budget do you spend on defence?
    Vatican Prepares For Pope Francis' Funeral

    Vatican Prepares For Pope Francis' Funeral

    The Vatican is finalising preparations for Pope Francis' funeral as the last of the large crowd of mourners make their way through St. Peter's Basilica.
    Scientists Pinpoint 36 As The Exact Age That Drinking Starts To Take Its Toll

    Scientists Pinpoint 36 As The Exact Age That Drinking Starts To Take Its Toll

    We’ve got some bad news for all the 36-year-olds out there - researchers have revealed that when it comes to a big, boozy night out, you’re no longer going to bounce back the way you used to.
    Pedro Pascal Blasts J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Stance, Calling it “Heinous LOSER Behavior”

    Pedro Pascal Blasts J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Stance, Calling it “Heinous LOSER Behavior”

    Pedro Pascal has slammed J.K. Rowling’s celebratory response to the UK ruling that transgender women shouldn’t be recognised as women, labelling it “Heinous LOSER Behavior.”
    Lufy, The Paralyzed Dog That Took The Internet By Storm, Has Officially Been Adopted

    Lufy, The Paralyzed Dog That Took The Internet By Storm, Has Officially Been Adopted

    Lufy, a one-year-and-7-month-old Bichon Frise, captured hearts across the globe last month when photos of his kennel listing went viral online.