Immunologic assessments
Peanut-specific immunoglobulins were measured in serum samples at baseline (at which time participants were between 4 months and 11 months of age) and when the children were 12,30, and 60 months of age. Figure 3A shows wheal size and level of peanut-specific IgE in participants who met the per-protocol criteria. A significant increase from baseline in wheal size was seen only in the peanut-avoidance group. Participants who were allergic to peanuts at month 60 showed a more pronounced increase in wheal size over time. These participants also had higher peanut-specific IgE levels. Although peanut-specific IgE levels increased over time in both the peanut-avoidance and peanut-consumption groups, there were fewer participants in the consumption group with very high IgE level at 12,30, and 60 months (Fig. S4 in the supplementary Appendix).