Understanding how food allergies start in young children

Mechanisms for initiation of food allergy early in life

NIH-funded research Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10851916

This study is looking at how certain factors, like skin issues and exposure to allergens, might lead to peanut allergies in kids, even before they show any signs, and it aims to understand how early eating of peanuts could help prevent these allergies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10851916 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the early mechanisms that lead to food allergies, particularly peanut allergies, in children. It explores how skin barrier defects and environmental allergens can contribute to the development of these allergies, even before any visible symptoms appear. The study involves examining the effects of early peanut consumption and how it interacts with skin sensitization processes. By using animal models, the researchers aim to identify systemic factors that may influence the risk of developing food allergies in young children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children, particularly those with a family history of allergies or skin barrier issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those without any risk factors for food allergies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing food allergies in infants and young children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding food allergies, but this approach is exploring novel mechanisms that have not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Indianapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.