Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, or SCID, is now one of many diseases tested for in the Newborn Screening. Danielle Pettit-Majewski, Director of Washington County Public Health, explains SCID is an inherited disease where there is a deficiency or absence of T-cells, the white blood cells that fight infection. SCID is in one of every 50,000 to 60,000 births.
Pettit-Majewski states it is treated with anti-biotics, anti-fungals or anti-viral medications and then bone morrow transplant, enzyme replacement or gene therapy. Treatment is needed immediately for the inherited disorder, as those who are not treated are unlikely to live past one year of age.
For more information, listen to today’s Washington Page with Pettit-Majewski.