A blood test Oklahoma added to its mandatory newborn screening panel three years ago helped physicians at Oklahoma City-based The Children's Hospital at OU Medicine prepare for the birth of a patient with a rare genetic disorder that seriously compromises the body's immune system, according to News 4.
Oklahoma added a test for combined immunodeficiency screening to its newborn screening panel in 2015. Brenda Landon took the blood test when she was still pregnant with her son Jaxon. He tested positive for the rare genetic disorder, which his cousin previously died from.
Ms. Landon delivered Jaxon at the children's hospital neonatal intensive care unit. Shortly after his birth, physicians gave him a bone marrow transplant that semi-established an immune system within his body, however the transplant was only partially effective, as is the case with many SCID patients. Jaxon contracted a virus that stunted his developmental growth.The transplanted immune system also attacked his body's ability to create pigment, leaving him with light streaks in his hair.
Jaxon, who is now 6 years old, may undergo a new treatment where his own bone marrow is genetically modified and reintroduced into his body, hopefully generating a fully functioning immune system.
Editor's note: This article was updated July 19.
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