Study finds one in three infants with suspected peanut allergy may be misdiagnosed
A new study published in November 2026 reveals that over a third of infants thought to have peanut allergies did not react during supervised oral food challenges.
New research questions allergy diagnosis accuracy
Researchers evaluated the Allergy Development to an Accelerated Path to Tolerance program established in 2024. The study reviewed medical records from April 2024 through October 2025 at ten public children's hospitals across Australia. Of 778 infants who underwent challenges, 271 showed no reaction despite prior sensitization and positive tests. These findings suggest history and testing alone may lead to unnecessary treatment for some children.
Medical teams monitored reactions closely
Participants in the threshold oral food challenge received as many as seven doses containing between 15 and 1,300 milligrams of peanut protein. Medical staff monitored infants with a median age of 13 months for any allergic responses. Among those who reacted, 61 experienced anaphylaxis requiring immediate medical intervention during the supervised sessions. This rigorous process helps confirm true allergies before starting oral immunotherapy programs.
Program aims to prevent unnecessary restrictions
Avoiding false diagnoses could spare families from burdensome food restrictions and precautionary measures in daily life. The program provides a standardized approach for evaluating infants with suspected peanut allergies safely. Confirming actual allergy status prevents children from undergoing unnecessary treatment with oral immunotherapy unnecessarily. Families benefit from accurate diagnosis before committing to long term dietary changes.
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