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National Jewish Health Program Treats Severe Combined Immune Deficiency
Dr. Gelfand explains: "Saving the life of a child with immunodeficiency is very costly. The first step is critical and that is the rapid diagnosis of the immune deficiency. Today, this involves molecular diagnostics, defining the exact cause so treatment can be instituted as rapidly as possible. Time is of the essence as life-threatening infections take hold very early. Ninety five percent of these “bubble-babies” die before they reach four to six months of age. The second phase is the treatment, which may consist of bone marrow transplantation. This process, even if if uncomplicated, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I did the first such transplant in 1969 and that baby girl, now a woman, has a family of her own."
1. National Jewish Health, one of the world's leading centers for immune system research, treats kids whose immune systems have not properly developed.
2. We replace missing enzymes so as to strengthen immune system cells that fight off disease.
3. Dr. Erwin Gelfand, a physican-researcher at National Jewish, pioneered the use of bone marrow transplants to treat immune deficiencies.