Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Severe Combined Immunodeficiency is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

SCID
Bubble Boy Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

Autosomal Recessive Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
ADA Deficiency
X-Linked Recessive Severe Combined Immunodeficiency with Leukopenia
Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome
Reticular Dysgenesis
Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency

General Discussion

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is a group of rare congenital syndromes characterized by little if any immune responses. This results in frequent recurring infections. Cellular immune responses involve specialized white blood cells known as T lymphocytes or "killer cells." These cells assist other white blood cells (B lymphocytes) to respond to infectious, foreign agents that invade the body (i.e., bacteria or viruses). The B lymphocytes maintain immunity by enabling the body to produce and preserve circulating antibodies.

People with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency are unusually susceptible to recurrent infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other infectious agents that can be life-threatening.

There are several types of Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies. These include: Autosomal Recessive Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, X-Linked Recessive Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency (ADA), Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency with Leukopenia (Reticular Dysgenesis), and Swiss-type Agammaglobulinemia. Each type of Severe Combined Immune Deficiency is caused by a different genetic defect, but the primary symptom is reduced or absent immune functions, and all types are hereditary.
.

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

Immune Deficiency Foundation
40 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 308
Towson, MD 21230
Tel: (410)321-6647
Fax: (410)321-9165
Tel: (800)296-4433
Email: idf@primaryimmune.org
Internet: http://www.primaryimmune.org

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tel: (414)272-6071
Fax: (414)276-3349
Tel: (800)822-2762
Email: info@aaaai.org
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org

International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficiencies
Firside
Main Road
Downderry
Cornwall, PL11 3LE
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 1503 250 668
Fax: 44 1503 250 668
Email: info@ipopi.org
Internet: http://www.ipopi.org/

European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch, 5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
Email: info@esid.org
Internet: http://www.esid.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 8/7/2007
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Go to top of page

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.