Potentially deadly peanut allergies are showing up at younger ages as parents introduce their children to the food earlier than a decade ago, according to a recent study.

The authors say the trend is troubling, particularly given that peanut allergies in children have doubled in the same period.

They recommend that parents should delay introducing their children to peanuts and other potential allergens.

The study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children born during or after 2000 were exposed to peanuts, on average, at 12 months of age and reported their first adverse reactions at 14 months.

Those born between 1995 and 1997 did not eat food containing peanuts until 22 months and did not show their first adverse reactions until 24 months.

The researchers are working on another study to see if early introduction of small amounts of peanut and other potentially offending food products could potentially prevent food allergies by desensitizing children and helping their immune system mount an appropriate response.

(Agencies via China Daily December 12, 2007)