Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
What is SCID?
Affects the T and B cells in the human immune system
Causes a deficiency in T and B cells.
First human illness treated with gene therapy
Children with SCID rarely live past the age of 2
The affected are very likely to catch life-threatening infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi
How common?
No records of data in US. Best estimate is 40 to 100 cases per year
Symptoms to get affected checked out
Diagnosis
Treatment
Failure to gain weight and grow normally
Infections needing intravenous medication
Infections remaining for two or more months with treatment
Deep seated infections
Two or more cases of pneumonia
Constant throat or mouth infections
Eight or more ear infections
Family History of immune definicenies
Most are tested at 6 months
Blood tests are used for diagnosis
A brother or sister match has best chance of success
Transplants in first three months of life have highest success rate
Bone Marrow Stem Cells Transplant