Newborns who are not exclusively fed colostrum within the first 3 days of life may have a higher likelihood of developing food allergies, according to a study.

Feeding data from the Australia-based ORIGINS cohort showed that infants who were partially fed colostrum had more than threefold higher odds of egg allergy development (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.41, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.10?10.54) and more than fivefold higher odds of peanut allergy development (aOR, 5.66, 95 percent CI, 1.08?29.82) by age 12?18 months as compared with their counterparts who were exclusively fed colostrum, reported first study author Maheshwar Bhasin, MSc, from the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. [AAAAI 2025, abstract 573]

Furthermore, later introduction of allergens into the diets of infants heightened the risks, Bhasin continued. 

Partially colostrum-fed infants who had eggs introduced into their diet after 7 months of age had ninefold increased odds of egg allergy around 1 year of age (aOR, 9.50, 95 percent CI, 2.29?39.38) compared with those who were exclusively fed colostrum and introduced to eggs within 7 months of life.

The same was true for peanut allergy, the odds of which increased by sevenfold for partially colostrum-fed infants who had peanuts introduced into their diet after 7 months of age (aOR, 7.57, 95 percent CI, 1.35?42.46) compared with those who were exclusively fed colostrum and were introduced to peanuts within 7 months of life.

Bhasin pointed out that none of the infants who received nine or more colostrum feeds within the first 24 hours of life, even with formula, developed peanut allergy.

“Globally, one-third of newborns are fed formula within the first 3 days of life. [This practice] disrupts the intake of colostrum?an essential source of bioactive compounds for the developing immune system,” Bhasin noted, adding that introducing formula into diets during those first 3 days could have a significant impact on infant allergy risk beyond cow’s milk allergy.

“We found that inadequate colostrum intake increased the risk of developing peanut and multiple food allergies. These findings underscore the transformative potential of promoting colostrum feeding for allergy prevention,” he said.

The analysis included 666 mother-infant pairs, with 46 percent of infants having received partial colostrum feeds through age 3 days. The average age of the mothers was 32 years, and most were Caucasian. All infants were born at term and healthy, with close to half delivered by caesarean section.

Food allergy at age 12?18 months was determined via a positive skin prick test and an immediate reaction to the food as reported by the mother.