newborn screening programme
SCID
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a term used to describe a group of genetic disorders. These affect the immune system. If not treated it can be fatal due to severe vulnerability to common infections.
UK NSC screening recommendation
The UK NSC does not recommend screening newborn babies for SCID. This is because it is not known:
- how many well babies may be told they are ill incorrectly (false positives)
- the best way to care for babies with low numbers of white cells caused by other conditions
- how many babies are born into families who are already aware they have SCID
- how well laboratories will cope with the increase in testing and more ill babies
The UK NSC will review the evidence again following the conclusion of a practical in-service evaluation of screening for SCID in English NHS services.
Supporting documents from the 2017 review
Evidence summary SCID (2017)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
SCID economics consultation document 2017
A mathematical method to predict the costs and health effects (or health outcomes) of one intervention
compared to another, based on the best available evidence.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2017
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in SCID
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- ArchAngel MLD Trust
- Ataxia Telangiectasia Society
- British Association of Perinatal Medicine
- British Paediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infection Group
- British Society for Immunology
- CGD Society
- Faculty of Public Health
- Genetic Alliance UK
- INGID - International Nursing Group for Immunodeficiencies
- IPOPI - International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies
- Metabolic Support UK
- Primary Immunodeficiency UK
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
- UK Primary Immune-deficiency Patient Support
- UK Primary Immunodeficiency Network
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.