What is the recommended management for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)?

• A. Gene therapy
• B. Bone marrow transplant
• C. Immunoglobulin therapy
• D. Antiviral treatment

Answer: (B)

The recommended management for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) primarily focuses on restoring the function of the immune system, which is severely compromised in this condition. Bone marrow transplant is considered the definitive treatment for SCID, especially if performed early in life. This procedure involves replacing the patient’s defective hematopoietic stem cells with healthy ones from a compatible donor, allowing for the reconstitution of a functional immune system.

Transplantation is most successful when performed in infancy and when there is a matched donor, typically a sibling. It can lead to a significant improvement in the patient's ability to fight infections and enhances their overall survival rates.

While gene therapy is an emerging treatment option and has shown promise for certain genetic causes of SCID, it is not yet the standard management for all cases. Immunoglobulin therapy and antiviral treatments provide supportive care but do not address the underlying defect in immune function. Therefore, bone marrow transplant remains the established and recommended management for severe combined immunodeficiency.