What is Bubble Baby Syndrome?

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By Sumit Jha

01/01/2024

The 1976 Hollywood movie starring John Travolta, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble depicts the story of a person born with this disorder best.

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“Individuals with Bubble Baby Syndrome lack functioning immune cells, making them highly susceptible to infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi,” says Dr Ganesh Bollam.

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“The term bubble baby is used since these children need to be isolated in a sterile environment to protect them from infections,” he adds.

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It is medically known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID) — a rare genetic disorder where the child is born without an immune system.

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Treatment may include bone marrow or stem cell transplants to replace the faulty immune system with healthy cells, gene therapy to correct the genetic defect or enzyme replacement therapy.

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“The biggest problem we face for any BMTs is in selecting the most suitable donor, and ensuring compatibility through meticulous matching procedures,” said Dr Bollam.

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“Following that, we should be on our toes to closely monitor the patient for any signs of complications or adverse reactions,” says Dr Bollam

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“And post the transplantation, we need to manage the patient’s recovery, any complications that may arise, and adjust treatment accordingly,” added the haematologist.

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