PID Flashcards
What is immunodeficiency?
A condition in which the immune system’s ability to fight infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent.
What are the two main types of immune deficiencies?
- Primary immune deficiency (PID)
- Secondary immune deficiency
What are examples of primary immune disorders?
- Phagocytic defect
- Complement defect
- Antibody deficiency
- T/B cell disorders
- Syndromic
What can cause secondary immune deficiency?
- Infections (e.g., HIV)
- Radiation
- Drugs
- Malignancy
What are warning signs in children that may indicate primary immune deficiency?
- 4 or more ear infections in one year
- 2 or more serious sinus infections
- 2 or more on antibiotics with little effect
- Failure to thrive
- Recurrent deep skin or organ abscess or septicemia
- Persistent candida infection after 1 year of age
- Episodes of opportunistic infection
- Complications associated with live vaccines
- Need for IV antibiotics to clear infections
- 2 or more invasive infections per year (e.g., meningitis, hepatitis)
- Family history of PID or previous death of family member with infection
- Unexplained autoimmune disease
What laboratory tests should be conducted if PID is suspected?
- Good history taking
- CBC
- IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE levels
- Flow cytometry
- CD count
- Tests for phagocytic/complement function
What are general treatment guidelines for primary immune deficiency?
- Balanced good diet
- Antibiotics
- Avoid live vaccines
- IVIG
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Gene therapy (under trial)
What characterizes severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)?
- Deficiency in both B and T cells
- Affects children before 6 months of age
What are common clinical presentations of DiGeorge syndrome?
- Cardiac defect
- Absent thymus (T cells deficient)
- Hypocalcemia
- Abnormal facies (e.g., flat groove in upper lip, long face)
True or False: A child with recurrent abdominal pain and jaundice may have primary immune deficiency.
True
Fill in the blank: Secondary immunodeficiency can result from _______.
[HIV, drugs, infections, radiation, malignancy, chronic renal failure]
What is the significance of a family history of immunodeficiency?
It may indicate a genetic predisposition to primary immune deficiency.
What are typical symptoms of a child presenting with opportunistic infections?
- Recurrent infections
- Severe infections from low virulence organisms
- Failure to thrive
What should be suspected if a child has multiple episodes of fungal infections?
Possible immunodeficiency
What is a common indicator that a child may need IVIG treatment?
Need for IV antibiotics to clear infections
How many serious sinus infections in a year may indicate primary immune deficiency?
2 or more serious sinus infections
What is the age of affection for severe combined immunodeficiency?
Before 6 months of age
What complications can arise from live vaccines in children with PID?
Severe infections due to vaccine strains
True or False: A child with ear infections and a family history of siblings who died young may have PID.
True
What is the clinical significance of repeated episodes of napkin dermatitis in infants?
May indicate underlying immune deficiency if associated with opportunistic infections.
