Earlier Egg Intake Linked to Less Allergy

Population-based data suggest uptake of updated feeding recommendations coincided with modest declines in egg allergy prevalence, particularly among infants with early eczema.

By
Andrea Surnit
June 17, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Overview

A population-based study in Australia indicates that earlier introduction of egg in infants is associated with a lower prevalence of egg allergy. The estimated prevalence decreased from 9.2% in infants introduced to egg later to 7.6% in those introduced earlier, particularly among infants with early eczema.

Background

The introduction of allergenic foods during infancy is a critical area of research in allergy prevention. Recent guidelines have shifted towards recommending earlier introduction of foods like egg to potentially reduce allergy prevalence. Understanding the impact of these guidelines on population-level allergy rates is essential for informing future dietary recommendations.

Data Highlights

Cohort	Estimated Egg Allergy Prevalence	Median Age at Egg Introduction
2007-2011	9.2%	8 months
2018-2019	7.6%	6 months

Key Findings

The median age at egg introduction decreased from 8 months to 6 months between the two cohorts.
The proportion of infants introduced to egg by 6 months increased from 25% to 57%.
Egg allergy prevalence was estimated at 9.2% in the earlier cohort and 7.6% in the later cohort.
Among infants with early eczema, egg allergy prevalence decreased from 34.6% to 21.9%.
The reduction in egg allergy prevalence was statistically significant when accounting for known allergy risk factors.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that earlier introduction of egg may be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of egg allergy, particularly in infants with early eczema. Clinicians should consider these results when advising parents on infant feeding practices.

Conclusion

The study highlights a potential link between earlier egg introduction and reduced egg allergy prevalence, emphasizing the importance of updated dietary guidelines in allergy prevention.