Increased understanding of the dynamic physiology and molecular aspects of the penumbra, along with identification of its potential capacities for improvement by using prompt and novel diagnostic methods, may prove useful for developing new and much-needed approaches for neuroprotection therapy in acute stroke. Peter Vadas, MD, PhD, and colleagues, of St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, conducted a clinical investigation at 2 North American hospitals from March 1999 to October 2000 to find out if maternal dietary peanut protein passes into breast milk during lactation. The authors tested breast milk samples from 23 healthy, lactating women aged 21 to 35 years. According to background information cited in the article, peanut allergy is a significant public health problem. It starts early in life, is often associated with severe or life-threatening reactions, and rarely resolves.
Peanuts account for the majority of food-induced anaphylactic fatalities.
Potential but unproven routes of hidden exposure include exposure in the womb and exposure to peanuts transferred from maternal diet via breast milk during lactation. The authors measured the presence in breast milk of total peanut protein and 2 major peanut allergens. Peanut protein was detected in 11 of 23 subjects. Peanut proteins have long been suspected to be secreted but have never been identified in breast milk. The authors point out that several studies have documented an epidemiologic relationship between increased consumption of peanuts by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and the likelihood of allergic sensitization of their children.