Healthcare Professional Survey on Complementary Feeding and Allergy Prevention in High‐ Versus Low‐Risk Infants: An <scp>EAACI</scp> Task Force Report

Complementary feeding (CF) influences infants' long-term dietary preferences, growth, and food allergy (FA) risk. However, guidance given to families and the implementation of FA prevention guidelines by healthcare professionals (HCPs) remain unclear. This study explored HCPs' perspectives and practices regarding CF strategies in the context of FA prevention across different regions and professional backgrounds. An online survey conducted by an EAACI task force between December 2023 and May 2024 assessed CF timing, allergenic food introduction, nutrient supplementation, and FA preventive measures. 550 HCPs (pediatricians, allergists, dietitians), 68% from Europe, participated. HCPs recommended CF initiation at a median of six months for breastfed infants and five months for formula-fed and FA high-risk infants. Atopic dermatitis (94%) and family history of allergies (87%) were the most recognized FA risk factors. Vitamin D (49%), probiotics (28%), and omega-3 fatty acids (18%) were commonly recommended supplements. Regional, professional, and educational influences differences emerged, with Northern European HCPs favoring earlier CF and allergen introduction, often without structured guidance. Southern European HCPs preferred a structured sequence and later CF initiation. A flexible, evidence-based framework is needed to guide FA prevention while accommodating cultural and geographical differences.

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Publication Details

Journal
Allergy
Published
2025-12-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70188
Primary Topic
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
Type
article
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article

Healthcare Professional Survey on Complementary Feeding and Allergy Prevention in High‐ Versus Low‐Risk Infants: An EAACI Task Force Report

Ioannis Pagkalos, Peter Smith, Sophia Tsabouri, Burçin Beken et al.
Allergy
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
article

Healthcare Professional Survey on Complementary Feeding and Allergy Prevention in High‐ Versus Low‐Risk Infants: An EAACI Task Force Report

Ioannis Pagkalos, Peter Smith, Sophia Tsabouri, Burçin Beken, Mattia Giovannini, Gavriela Feketea, Marina Pérez‐Gordo, Εmilia Vassilopoulou, Anna Comotti, Roberto Berni Canani, George Du Toit, Ioana Agache, Susanne Halken, Liam O’Mahony, Cevdet Özdemir, Rosan Meyer, Ludger Klimek, Carina Venter, Chrystopherson Gengyny Caballero-López, Franziska Roth‐Walter, Alberto Álvarez‐Perea, Anna Nowak‐Węgrzyn, Camelia Elena Berghea, Mohamed H. Shamji, Stefania Arasi, Montserrat Álvaro‐Lozano, Gregorio Paolo Milani, Berber Vlieg‐Boerstra, Diego Giampietro Peroni, Carlo Agostoni, Inês Pádua, Klaudia Ryczaj
article en

Abstract

Complementary feeding (CF) influences infants' long-term dietary preferences, growth, and food allergy (FA) risk. However, guidance given to families and the implementation of FA prevention guidelines by healthcare professionals (HCPs) remain unclear. This study explored HCPs' perspectives and practices regarding CF strategies in the context of FA prevention across different regions and professional backgrounds. An online survey conducted by an EAACI task force between December 2023 and May 2024 assessed CF timing, allergenic food introduction, nutrient supplementation, and FA preventive measures. 550 HCPs (pediatricians, allergists, dietitians), 68% from Europe, participated. HCPs recommended CF initiation at a median of six months for breastfed infants and five months for formula-fed and FA high-risk infants. Atopic dermatitis (94%) and family history of allergies (87%) were the most recognized FA risk factors. Vitamin D (49%), probiotics (28%), and omega-3 fatty acids (18%) were commonly recommended supplements. Regional, professional, and educational influences differences emerged, with Northern European HCPs favoring earlier CF and allergen introduction, often without structured guidance. Southern European HCPs preferred a structured sequence and later CF initiation. A flexible, evidence-based framework is needed to guide FA prevention while accommodating cultural and geographical differences.

Allergy
University of Pisa (IT), Griffith University (AU), Universidad San Pablo CEU (ES), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona (ES), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT), Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO), University of Nicosia (CY), International Hellenic University (GR), University of Milan (IT), University of Ioannina (GR), Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Medical University of Warsaw (PL), University College Cork (IE), Odense University Hospital (DK), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (ES), Transylvania University of Brașov (RO), Acıbadem University (TR), Spitalului Clinic de Urgență pentru Copii Maria Sklodowska Curie (RO), Children's Hospital Colorado (US), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (PT), Thomas Foundation (AU), NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (GB), CUF Porto Hospital (PT), Meyer Children's Hospital (IT), Federico II University Hospital (IT), Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie (DE), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation (ES), CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore (Italy) (IT), General Hospital Pediatric Karamandanio (GR), APC Microbiome Institute (IE), Rijnstate Hospital (NL), Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT), FM Management Consultancy (RO), University of Florence (IT), Imperial College London (GB), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (PL), New York University (US), Istanbul University (TR), University of Naples Federico II (IT), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (MX), University of Health Sciences Antigua (AG), University of Colorado Denver (US), KU Leuven (BE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 48%
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
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