Question 1

what are the symptoms of severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

Infections: Multiple severe opportunistic infections in young children.

Question 2

in what way is severe combined immunodeficiency transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Inherited: Severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) is a genetic condition. The defective gene is transmitted from parents to their children, though many times is an 'accident of nature' that starts with the affected child. Genetic counseling is helpful.

Question 3

does anyone treat a baby with severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

SCID treatment: Highly-trained pediatric immunologists in hospital settings are generally the doctors who treat scid. A good place for you to start learning about this disorder is to go to the website of the immune deficiency foundation: www.Primaryimmune.Org or to go to the jeffrey modell centers website: www.Info4pi.Org. Your local allergist/immunologist can also refer you to the nearest facility in your area.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

SCID: Severe combined immunodeficiency or SCID is a genetic disorder. Patients have non functioning T and B cells - cells that are critical parts of immune system. Patients are susceptible to bacterial, fungal and viral infections as they lack defenses to ward off infection.

Question 5

what is the life expectency of someone who has severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

Good with treatment: Without treatment, severe combined immunodeficiency is lethal in infancy. If treated with a bone marrow transplantation or similar immune reconstitution, before severe infections occur, life expectancy is the same as normal individuals. Adults with scid treated in childhood have their own children. Poor organ function as a result of infections leaving scars might limit life expectancy.

Question 6

what is severe combined immunodeficiency scid?

Accepted Answer

Severe Combined: Scid is a designation for a defect in the immune system that involves both the "b"cells that make immunoglobulins and the "t" cells that act as killer cells for the immune system. The condition is dramatic and usually fatal in early childhood unless the childs bone marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells.

Question 7

which enzyme is too low in severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

Not always an enzyme: Severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) is diagnosed when t cells (a type of white blood cell) are absent or not working. There are at least 15 causes of scid. The very first one identified, though currently not the most common form is caused by deficiency of the enzyme Adenosine deaminase, which remove toxic products that kill t cells.

Question 8

is there a way to prevent severe combined immunodeficiency?

Accepted Answer

Newborn screening: Severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) is a group of inherited diseases. A diagnostic test for all forms of scid is available for newborn screening in a handful of states (wi, ma, ca). Early diagnosis leads to treatment before severe infections occur, therefore preventing not scid but the mortality and morbidity due to infections. Prenatal counseling and testing might be useful in certain cases.

Question 9

why is severe combined immunodeficiency pt called "bubble boy"?

Accepted Answer

Houston patient: In the late 70's early 80's when not much could be done for scid,  nasa designed the most sterile environment for a patient in houston, to avoid infections. Included was a space suit like. It worked relatively well. It was a 'bubble'. Social and psychological issues were significant however, and a matter of controversy. With bone marrow transplant advances, this extreme isolation is not needed.

Question 10

why is severe combined immunodeficiency called bubble boy disease?

Accepted Answer

Travolta movie: In the late 70's, one child with scid was placed in a sterile plastic environment developed by nasa. This experience was used to develop a movie story first protagonized by john travolta, and was called the bubble boy. Though not 100% accurate, it has helped to bring awareness to this disease.

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Severe combined immunodeficiency signs

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What are the symptoms of severe combined immunodeficiency?

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In what way is severe combined immunodeficiency transmitted?

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Does anyone treat a baby with severe combined immunodeficiency?

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What is the definition or description of: severe combined immunodeficiency?

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What is the life expectency of someone who has severe combined immunodeficiency?

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What is severe combined immunodeficiency scid?

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Which enzyme is too low in severe combined immunodeficiency?

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Is there a way to prevent severe combined immunodeficiency?

A member asked:

Why is severe combined immunodeficiency pt called "bubble boy"?

A member asked:

Why is severe combined immunodeficiency called bubble boy disease?

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