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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a rare and severe form of primary immunodeficiency. The chances of a child being born with SCID are about one in 500,000 births. Commonly referred to as "boy in the bubble" disease, it is characterized by a defect in the production and function of T-lymphocytes (T cells), which thereby results in a lack of B-lymphocyte (B cell) function. In some genetic types, SCID is also characterized by defects in NK-lymphocyte production. There are ten (10) different identified forms of SCID, including X-linked SCID and Autosomal Recessive SCID.

SCID is typically not diagnosed until about six to nine months of age, usually indicated by recurrent infections. It is at this time that the antibodies passed from the mother to the child during pregnancy fall to non-productive levels. Chronic diarrhea, oral candidiasis, ear infections, extensive diaper rash, persistent cough and Pneumocystis pneumonia may occur. SCID is treated as a medical emergency and is life-threatening if left untreated.

Patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) are extremely susceptible to infectious diseases and require major treatment to survive beyond infancy. While immunoglobulin therapy may help to bolster the immune responses of SCID patients, long-term treatment often takes the form of bone marrow transplantation or gene therapy.

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