Test Reliably Detects Inherited Immune Deficiency in Newborns

Test Reliably Detects Inherited Immune Deficiency in Newborns

Newborn Screening for SCID Leads to Early Diagnosis, Treatment

A newborn screening test for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) reliably identifies infants with this life-threatening inherited condition, leading to prompt treatment and high survival rates, according to a study funded in part by NIAID. SCID is caused by defects in genes involved in the development and function of certain immune cells, rendering affected infants highly susceptible to severe infections. Researchers also found that SCID affects approximately 1 in 58,000 newborns, indicating that the disorder is less rare than previously thought.