Researchers then collected samples of their breast milk. After an overnight fast, women ate about one half cup of peanuts and samples of breast milk were taken at different times for up to 12 hours afterwards. Researchers found peanut protein in nearly half of the women. The danger lies in the fact that the presence of peanut protein in breast milk may sensitize babies at risk for the peanut allergy. They note previous studies have shown a relationship between increased consumption of peanuts by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers and the likelihood of allergic sensitization to peanuts of their children.
Peanut allergies start early in life and cause the majority of food-induced anaphylactic fatalities.
Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction that causes swelling, constriction of the bronchioles, circulatory collapse, heart failure and even death. The results of the study are published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association .