Expert Care for a Rare Disorder
Children with the rare genetic disorder severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) have few or no T cells, the white blood cells needed to fight infections. Because they're born with little or no immunity, children with SCID are susceptible to potentially life-threatening infections. They often experience recurrent illnesses and fail to thrive. NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital has a designated SCID Specialty Care Center where children with this disorder can receive all the care they need through one convenient, coordinated program.
About Our Program
All infants born in New York State are screened for SCID. However, many newborns who test positive during screening do not actually have the disorder, and must undergo advanced testing to confirm the diagnosis. Both NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital have specialists on staff who are experienced in making referrals for newborns who test positive for SCID. NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is one of only a handful of New York State–designated SCID Specialty Care Centers. This designation indicates that we offer comprehensive diagnostic testing (including genetic testing), treatment, and follow-up care for children with SCID.
NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is also home to the Natural Killer Cell Evaluation and Research (NEAR) Clinic. NEAR provides diagnostic testing and access to research studies for people with this deficiency of immune cells called natural killer cells and recurrent, severe, or unusual infections.
Our Approach to Care
Our SCID Specialty Care Center includes a team of highly qualified allergists and immunologists who have specialty training in immunodeficiency syndromes, genetic counselors, hematologists with expertise in stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation, award-winning nurses and nurse practitioners, social workers, and other support staff to meet the needs of your child and your family. We’ll evaluate your child within 24 to 48 hours of referral. If your child tests positive for SCID, we offer treatment with stem cell transplantation. If your child tests negative for SCID, we can continue monitoring him or her for a year, or longer if necessary.
How we treat severe combined immunodeficiency
Stem cell transplantation is the most effective treatment for SCID. The ideal donor is a perfectly matched sibling who has a normal immune system. During stem cell transplantation, your child's immune system is replaced with stem cells from a healthy donor which mature to become a well-functioning immune system.
Finding a stem cell donor. If your child does not have a matched sibling donor, we have had good success with matched unrelated donors and even half-matched related donors (such as parents).
Optimizing your child's treatment. Ideally, the best time for a stem cell transplant for SCID is within the first three months of life, before severe and recurrent infections or other complications occur.
Specialized pediatric critical care. Children who undergo stem cell transplantation here also benefit from an onsite pediatric intensive care unit staffed by experienced pediatric critical care professionals.
Why Choose Us
NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital has one of the oldest and most experienced stem cell transplantation programs in the nation. Our center is one of the few SCID specialty care centers in New York State offering this treatment — the only cure for all types of SCID. If your child tests positive for SCID, you can get all the care you need in one place. If your child's care requires the expertise of other pediatric specialists, we have all of those physicians at our medical center, too.