Two “Bubble Boys” Receive Cord Blood Transplants to Treat Immune System Disorder

Bayless brothers Carver and Granton were both born with severe combined immunodeficiency, a rare genetic disease which caused their immune systems to malfunction. Four-year-old Granton underwent a cord blood transplant to help treat the condition and now his two-month-old brother will do the same.

The disease causes children to become “bubble boys”. They must be protected at all times from everyday germs that could cause the slightest infection. As patients lack the immune system to fight off illness, the smallest virus can turn deadly. Severe combined immunodeficiency, which only affects boys, is present in 1 in 100 000 births.  

On December 16, Carver underwent a cord blood transplant using a sample from an anonymous donor. In the weeks since his transplant, the baby has been doing well and his parents believe that he is showing signs of improvement.  

Granton was diagnosed with the same disease years earlier. Since his parents were unaware that severe combined immunodeficiency would run in the family, he was diagnosed and treated much later in life than his younger brother. Fortunately, the treatment, a cord blood transplant, still proved to be effective for Granton. He is now four-years-old and looks forward to a happy and healthy life. 

The Bayless family is optimistic that Carver will make a similar recovery. He will have to spend the next few months in the hospital while his immune system is rebuilt, but his doctors are confident that Carver’s immune system will soon be as healthy as any other child his age.    

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/29/3343473/missouri-family-hopes-umbilical.html