Screening newborns for a deadly genetic disease has been shown to boost survival rates by almost 20 percent, according to a new study published in The Lancet.
Identifying the disease, severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), at birth lead to early treatment in the study resulting in the increased survival rate.
Making the Case for Screening
Early detection of SCID raised the five-year survival rate of children from 73 percent to 87 percent, according to the study. However, that rate rose to 92.5 percent for babies screened at birth.
Sometimes called bubble baby disease, SCID is caused by mutations in genes that block or inhibit the development of B cells. Those cells produce infection fighting antibodies. As a result, babies with this disease appear to be healthy but are unable to effectively fight infection and disease. Hence, even the slightest bug or cold can be fatal.
The study is the result of research by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“This study definitively shows that population-wide newborn screening for SCID has made it possible to save the lives of many more children with the disorder than ever before,” said NIAID Acting Director Hugh Auchincloss, M.D. “We hope these findings will encourage more countries to screen newborns for this devastating disease.”
Maybe Not So Rare
A SCID screening test was developed in 2005 and widely implemented in the United States and Canada in 2008. As a result, 40 to 80 newborns are diagnosed with the disease in North America each year, according to the NIH.
However, globally, the incidence of SCID may be much higher, since screening is not universal. As a result, infants in many countries die before they are diagnosed.
Treatment and Cost
The condition is fatal, usually within the first year or two of life, unless the infant receives an immune-restoring treatment.
Such treatments may include regular infusion of the antibody immune globin. However, only a stem cell transplant can provide a cure, according to Boston Children’s Hospital.
Treatment costs can range from a low of $50,000 to Seven figures, according to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF).
SCID Compass, a support program for families of children with the disease, says early treatment is vital. Those babies who receive a transplant within the first 3.5 months of birth have a survival rate up to 94 percent, according to the group. However, survival rates drop to about 70 percent for treatment administered after 3.5 months.
Sometimes referred to as a bone marrow transplant, the stem cells are injected into the child’s blood stream. Once there, the cells become white cells that fight infection. In essence, these new white cells become the child’s immune system. If that happens, the child may be considered cured, according to Children’s Hospital. As a result, such children can expect to live a normal adult life.
Read More:
Caffeine May Impact Gut Health Unexpected Discovery Finds
Regular Internet Use May Ward Off Dementia According to Study
Amniotic Fluid Eye Drops Untested Warns FDA
Come back to what you love! Dollardig.com is the most reliable cash-back site on the web. Just sign up, click, shop, and get full cashback!