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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID) is fatal if left undetected, but newborn screening gives babies a fighting chance. Baby Mannat's early diagnosis highlights its life-saving impact.
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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID) is a rare genetic condition that leaves babies without a functioning immune system. Although they appear healthy at birth, even common infections can become life-threatening. Without treatment, most affected children do not survive beyond their first year.
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Introduced in 2006 and expanded in 2019, the National Expanded Newborn Screening programme detects serious but treatable conditions, including SCID. Newborn screening is now the standard of care for every newborn at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A simple heel-prick blood test allows doctors to diagnose affected babies before symptoms appear, enabling early intervention. Baby Mannat was the first child diagnosed with SCID through the expanded screening programme.
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The only curative treatment for SCID is a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Performed before severe infections develop—typically within the first three to four months of life—success rates can reach 95%. Early diagnosis also allows babies to begin protective care while families receive guidance and support throughout treatment.
Following his diagnosis, Mannat was enrolled in a protective care programme to minimise his risk of infection while awaiting treatment. Due to his rare form of SCID, Artemis SCID, his care team avoided radiation-based procedures such as X-rays to prevent complications. At three months old, he underwent a haematopoietic stem cell transplant using stem cells donated by his mother to rebuild his immune system. Throughout the journey, a multidisciplinary team guided the family through every stage of treatment, providing medical, emotional and practical support. They were prepared for prolonged hospital stays, frequent procedures and the challenges of caring for a medically vulnerable child, while also being encouraged to look after their own wellbeing.
Today, Mannat is a healthy toddler expected to live a normal life. His story underscores the life-saving impact of newborn screening, showing how early diagnosis, timely treatment and comprehensive family support can transform outcomes for children born with rare but serious conditions.
This article was first published on 14 August 2025.
“In contrast, the babies diagnosed by newborn screening and transplanted before the age of three and a half months... did not experience any complications.”
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