PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Jyothi
AU  - S Lissauer
AU  - S Welch
AU  - S Hackett
TI  - Immune deficiencies in children: an overview
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302278
DP  - 2013 Oct 01
TA  - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
PG  - 186--196
VI  - 98
IP  - 5
4099  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/98/5/186.short
4100  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/98/5/186.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed2013 Oct 01; 98
AB  - 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.