Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - Detection

Detection

Several US states are performing pilot studies to diagnose SCID in newborns through the use of T-cell recombinant excision circles. Wisconsin and Massachusetts (as of February 1, 2009) screen newborns for SCID. Michigan began screening for SCID in October 2011 Despite these pilot programs, standard testing for SCID is not currently available in newborns due to the diversity of the genetic defect. Some SCID can be detected by sequencing fetal DNA if a known history of the disease exists. Otherwise, SCID is not diagnosed until about six months of age, usually indicated by recurrent infections. The delay in detection is because newborns carry their mother's antibodies for the first few weeks of life and SCID babies look normal.