New Test for Newborns Helps Detect Potentially Deadly Disease
By: Meredith Hillgartner
Updated: February 1, 2013
There's a new test in Texas-- and it could help doctors detect a harmful disease.
"It's not something that is noticeable when the baby is born," Vuelvas said.
Dr. Johnny Vuelvas is talking about Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease-- but you may have heard of called the 'bubble boy' disease.
"So the baby looks perfectly healthy," Vuelvas said. "They do well for two or three months and then they start coming down with these infections. Something that may just cause a cough in me and you, may cause them a more severe illness."
The disease is rare-- so rare, doctor Vuelvas has never seen it.
But after a push from parents-- Texas is now testing for it.
"They have made law makers aware medical personnel aware and I think that is a major reason why we do the test in Texas now," Vuelvas said.
We're just one of only 12 states to give the test.
It only costs ten dollars... and while the disease isn't curable-- doctor Vuelvas says early detection can make it more manageable.
"It's just like any illness," Vuelvas said. "If we can catch an ear infection early are we going to have less pain, if we can catch cancer earlier are you going to have less problems?"
