Features of sensitization to food allergens in children who were on BLW supplementation

Background. The prevalence of food allergy (FA) is rapidly increasing, particularly among young children. The introduction of complementary feeding is a critical period for the development of immune tolerance to food allergens. Baby-led weaning (BLW), a feeding method that allows infants to self-feed, may potentially alter the sensitization profile to allergens. However, the impact of BLW on FA development remains insufficiently studied. Purpose – to compare the level of sensitization to food allergens among children introduced to complementary feeding using the BLW method versus the traditional approach, considering the presence of atopic dermatitis (AD). Materials and Methods. A total of 120 children were examined and divided into four groups based on the type of complementary feeding (BLW or traditional) and the presence of AD. Sensitization to food allergens was assessed using the «Food-4» panel (22 allergens) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. The highest levels of sensitization to food allergens were observed in children with AD, regardless of the feeding method (p = 0.301). However, among children without AD, infants following the BLW method had a significantly higher level of sensitization to food allergens compared to those receiving traditional complementary feeding (p = 0.015). Sensitization to cowʼs milk proteins was more frequently detected in BLW-fed infants with AD compared to children with AD on traditional complementary feeding. Additionally, BLW-fed infants showed sensitization to a wider range of food allergens. Furthermore, among children without AD, those following the BLW method had higher total IgE levels than those on traditional complementary feeding (p = 0.029). Conclusions. Infants introduced to complementary feeding via the BLW method, regardless of the presence of AD, exhibit a higher tendency toward food allergen sensitization compared to those following traditional feeding. These findings highlight the need for further research on the safety of BLW in the context of FA development.