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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCID)

SCID is a rare immunologic disease with only 5 known genetic mutations. Children diagnosed with SCID are unable to produce T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and often NK cells which are essential to the body’s immune function. These children are often unable to fight many of the common childhood illnesses such as colds, flu, chicken pox, etc; risk for chronic illness is high. There are 5 potential treatments for children with SCIDs, which can often be both time and energy-consuming. Coupled with the fact that these children must be extremely cautious in typical environment, there is an increased risk for developmental delay.
 
The primary goal of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy for these children is to assist the child in developing typical age-appropriate skills through typical movement patterns, environmental exploration, by encouraging independence, and by working closely with caregivers, the medical team, and other treating therapists. The actual environment in which therapy is conducted must be as sterile and free from germs as possible, and it is often the medical specialists that will recommend which is most appropriate. Children with SCID are seen in both inpatient and outpatient settings here at Duke.

 

PT Treatment

  • Gross motor skills
  • Strength and Endurance
 
 

OT Treatment

  • Oral Motor/Feeding skills
  • Fine/Visual motor skills

 

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