

Most cases of SCID are caused by an abnormal gene passed down from parent to child. Without treatment, the baby will die within the first one or two years of life. If a baby with SCID is treated within the first few months of life, prior to developing infections, then the baby has a much better chance of being healthy.

If your baby has SCID, it’s extremely important to get early treatment. In either place, the goal is to prevent the baby from being exposed to germs that can make the baby sick. Isolation may take place in your home or at the hospital. One way to decrease the number of germs your baby is exposed to is to limit the number of people that can be in your baby’s room. Isolationīecause your baby has no way to fight off germs, you and the doctors have to work together to keep the baby in an environment with as few germs as possible until the doctors choose the right treatment. Newborn screening showed doctors that the T cells responsible for fighting infections were extremely low in your child. The cold could get worse and be life-threatening.ĭoctors diagnosed your baby with SCID through newborn screening and additional testing. If your baby catches a cold or other infections, he or she might not be able to fight it off like most other people. T cells are essential for the immune system to work properly. The numbers of normal T cells in your baby are extremely low or are not made at all.

All babies with SCID share the problem of being born with either no T cells or too few T cells. The immune system is made up of cells that fight infection. Let us share with you what SCID is and how you can move forward to best care for your baby.Ī baby with SCID has little to no immune system. After all, SCID is probably not a medical condition you’ve ever heard of, and no one ever expects their baby to have it. It’s perfectly normal at this point to feel confused and afraid about the diagnosis. Learning that your newborn child has severe combined immunodeficiency, or SCID, can be overwhelming and you are likely feeling anxious. Not only is this website designed to be a trustworthy resource to answer your questions, but it is also a place you can find support.
