title: Immune deficiencies in children: an overview.
abstract: Primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) are disorders of the immune system that result in increased susceptibility to infectious disease, autoimmunity and malignancy. They are challenging to paediatricians as they can present anytime from birth to adolescence with a wide variety of signs and symptoms. It is important to diagnose PIDs promptly, especially more severe forms to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. However, significant challenges exist in deciding which children to investigate and when. We aim to give a basic understanding of the human immune system, the different presentations in a child that should alert a paediatrician about the possibility of PID and the possible underlying diagnosis. Additionally, we have developed a framework for a stepwise approach to investigating these children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Birmingham Childrens Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK. jyothiee@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jyothi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lissauer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hackett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016511:Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Immunology; Paediatric Practice