SCID may be inherited from parents or can be the result of a new genetic change in the child. There are many different genetic causes of SCID. This is why infants with SCID are more likely to catch serious infections and illnesses. Without these working cells, the immune system cannot work correctly. If your baby has severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), then their body either does not make enough or makes non-working T and B-cells. Specifically, T-cells and B-cells are types of white blood cells that are very important to our immune system. Our immune systems are made up of special cells and proteins that protect us from germs and other things in our environment that can cause illnesses and infections. In babies with SCID, two types of lymphocytes are either not working well or not working at all: T-cell lymphocytes and B-cell lymphocytes.įor more information about SCID from the Immune Deficiency Foundation, check out this Parents Guide or Follow-Up Testing Guide. Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are an important part of the immune system. Because babies with SCID may not be protected from life-threatening infections, follow-up testing must be completed as soon as possible to determine whether or not your baby has the condition.įollow-up testing will involve checking a sample of your baby’s blood to see if their immune system is working properly. However, a few babies do have the condition, so it is very important that you go to your follow-up appointment for a confirmatory test. It is important to remember that an out-of-range screening result does not necessarily mean that your child has the condition.An out-of-range result may occur because the initial blood sample was too small or the test was performed too early. If your baby’s newborn screening result for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was out of the normal range, your baby’s doctor or the state screening program will contact you to arrange for your baby to have additional testing. If your baby has certain signs, your baby’s doctor may refer you and your baby to a pediatric hospital for immediate treatment. Your baby’s doctor will ask you if your baby has any early signs of SCID (see Early Signs below).

Scid definition