Eleven-month-old eczema sufferer Grace Ewen is one of many toddlers who faces a lifetime of worry that her life could be cut short by a peanut.

Grace has a one in five chance of developing a life threatening peanut allergy, but could buck the trend thanks to a new study.

The Chiswick baby has become part of an innovative new clinical study that could help thousands of kids combat the illness.

Because of her eczema and being in a high risk category, baby Grace was signed up by her parents in February 2007 for Leap (Learning Early About Peanut allergies) which is a seven year clinical research study to determine whether consumption or avoidance of peanuts is the best strategy to prevent peanut allergy in young children.

Grace's mother, Fiona, said: "Under controlled conditions, we give her a peanut snack three times a week. We then monitor her allergies about once a year to make sure she hasn't developed anything. Thanks to the study, we now know she is also allergic to eggs.

"When I saw that the Leap study included allergy testing, I took advantage of the opportunity to have Grace properly tested in a hospital environment - rather than have the dread of waiting to find out for myself and worrying that her nursery might give Grace food she is allergic to."

Grace is taking part in the consumption side of the study.

Fiona added: "I think it is a very important study.

"Any parent with a child who suffers from an allergy knows how upsetting it can be for them and their child when they are dealing with an outbreak of whatever their allergy is.

"So the sooner we understand more about ways to reduce the incidence of allergies, the better.

"Involving your young child in any study can be a daunting experience. But once I had done my own research into peanut allergies, I was more than happy for her to take part."

The study is being conducted by Gideon Lack, Professor of Paediatric Allergy, and his team of children's allergy specialists at Evelina Children's Hospital in London, which is part of Guys and St. Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.

q Parents of children under 11 months old who have eczema and/or egg allergy who are interested in taking part in the study can get more information at leapstudy.co.uk or by calling 0800 234 6522.