Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
Also known as: SCID, severe combined immune deficiency, “boy in the bubble” syndrome.
What is severe combined immunodeficiency disease?
Severe combined immunodeficiency is a rare dangerous genetic birth defect that essentially doesn’t allow your child’s body to develop an immune system with which to fight any type of infection. Children with this disease lack function in both their T- and B-lymphocyte cells, which are both critical parts of the immune system.
What causes severe combined immunodeficiency ?
There are a number of different types of SCID most of which are caused by mutations in a child’s genes that are present at birth. Some forms of SCID can run in families.
Severe combined immunodeficiency SCID symptoms
Many infants/children may not be diagnosed or have any symptoms until they encounter an infection. The lack of function of immune system T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes leaves children susceptible to very serious, dangerous and potentially life-threatening bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections.
However, some children may only present failure to grow properly.
Treatment for Severe Combined immunodeficiency SCID
Prevention of potential infections by isolation from other children, strict hand hygiene regimens, family and friends wearing protective masks, vaccination of siblings (SCID children should not receive vaccinations) is extremely important for children with severe combined immune deficiency, as is giving appropriate antibiotic or drugs to fight infections, antibody infusions, and stem cell/bone marrow transplantation.
Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP
This page was last updated on: September 03, 2025 04:13 PM