ADENOSINE DEAMINASE SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY (ADA-SCID)

Adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) is a life-threatening disease that usually attacks children. Treatments may be able to help improve this condition, and those who receive treatment before the infection occurs can live healthy, long lives.

Everyone carries an ADA gene. When you have ADA deficiency, you have a glitch in yours. As a consequence, your body does not produce enough of a particular tool known as an enzyme, which aids in the protection of your white blood cells. You can quickly become infected if you don’t have such protection.

Moreover, when your baby is born with ADA deficiency, he/she will almost certainly be diagnosed with SCID before the age of six months. If the condition develops later in life, the symptoms may be milder.

You can control your symptoms and avoid infections with proper treatment. If left untreated, the body’s ability to fight infections, which can be fatal, deteriorates.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of ADA-SCID often emerge within the first months of life. If your child has this condition, they may have a variety of infections in different areas of their body, such as:

  • Skin
  • Mouth
  • Ear
  • Lung
  • Sinus

Children with Adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) frequently experience diarrhea and severe skin rashes. They could also grow slowly and have slower progress in other areas of development, such as social and motor abilities.

DIAGNOSIS

Early diagnosis and treatment boost your chances of living a healthy life.

Some counties screen all infants for ADA-SCID, and many experts believe that all countries must mandate early testing. A blood sample will be taken and tested by a doctor to determine whether or not the immune system is functioning properly.

To diagnose ADA-SCID, the doctor may need to perform more than one blood tests. Moreover, if you or your kid is diagnosed with ADA-SCID, the doctor might recommend early blood testing and genetic counseling for all of your children.

TREATMENT

To treat any present infections, your doctor will give antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal medicines.

Antibiotics might also be prescribed by your doctor to prevent future infections. Moreover, a child with ADA-SCID will need to spend a bit of time in a restricted hospital room, yet their parents will be allowed to accompany them.

Other treatments include:

  • Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)
  • Stem cell transplants
  • Chemotherapy 

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]