Health Topics

Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/x-linked-severe-combined-immunodeficiency/

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Description

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited disorder of the immune system that occurs almost exclusively in males. Children with X-linked SCID are prone to recurrent and persistent infections because they lack the necessary immune cells to fight off certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi. 

If untreated, infants with X-linked SCID can develop poor growth, chronic diarrhea, a fungal infection called thrush, skin rashes, and life-threatening infections. X-linked SCID can be detected shortly after birth by newborn screening, which allows for prompt treatment.

Frequency

X-linked SCID is the most common form of a group of severe combined immunodeficiency disorders. This group of disorders can be caused by variants in more than 20 genes. The incidence of all severe combined immunodeficiency disorders is 1 in 60,000 newborns and it is estimated that one-quarter to one-third of these cases are X-linked SCID.

Causes

Variants (also known as mutations) in the IL2RG gene cause X-linked SCID. The IL2RG gene provides instructions for making a protein that is critical for normal immune system function. This protein is necessary for the growth and maturation of developing immune system cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes defend the body against potentially harmful invaders, make antibodies, and help regulate the entire immune system. Variants in the IL2RG gene prevent these cells from developing and functioning normally. Without functional lymphocytes, the body is unable to fight off infections.

Learn more about the gene associated with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern. The gene associated with this condition is located on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes. In males (who have only one X chromosome), one altered copy of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. In females (who have two X chromosomes), a variant would have to occur in both copies of the gene to cause the disorder. Because it is unlikely that females will have two altered copies of this gene, males are affected by X-linked recessive disorders much more frequently than females. A characteristic of X-linked inheritance is that fathers cannot pass X-linked traits to their sons.

Other Names for This Condition

  • IL2RG SCID, T- B+ NK-
  • SCIDX1
  • X-linked SCID
  • X-SCID
  • XSCID

Additional Information & Resources

Genetic Testing Information

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

Clinical Trials

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Scientific Articles on PubMed

References

  • Allenspach EJ, Rawlings DJ, Petrovic A, Chen K. X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. 2003 Aug 26 [updated 2021 Aug 5]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1410/ Citation on PubMed
  • Amatuni GS, Currier RJ, Church JA, Bishop T, Grimbacher E, Nguyen AA, Agarwal-Hashmi R, Aznar CP, Butte MJ, Cowan MJ, Dorsey MJ, Dvorak CC, Kapoor N, Kohn DB, Markert ML, Moore TB, Naides SJ, Sciortino S, Feuchtbaum L, Koupaei RA, Puck JM. Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency and T-cell Lymphopenia in California, 2010-2017. Pediatrics. 2019 Feb;143(2):e20182300. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-2300. Citation on PubMed
  • Buckley RH. Molecular defects in human severe combined immunodeficiency and approaches to immune reconstitution. Annu Rev Immunol. 2004;22:625-55. doi: 10.1146/annurev.immunol.22.012703.104614. Citation on PubMed
  • Chinen J, Puck JM. Successes and risks of gene therapy in primary immunodeficiencies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Apr;113(4):595-603; quiz 604. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.01.765. Citation on PubMed
  • Church AC. X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. Hosp Med. 2002 Nov;63(11):676-80. doi: 10.12968/hosp.2002.63.11.1914. Citation on PubMed
  • Currier R, Puck JM. SCID newborn screening: What we've learned. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Feb;147(2):417-426. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.020. Citation on PubMed
  • Gennery AR, Cant AJ. Diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency. J Clin Pathol. 2001 Mar;54(3):191-5. doi: 10.1136/jcp.54.3.191. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Huang H, Manton KG. Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): a review. Front Biosci. 2005 May 1;10:1024-39. doi: 10.2741/1596. Citation on PubMed
  • Puck JM, Malech HL. Gene therapy for immune disorders: good news tempered by bad news. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Apr;117(4):865-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.01.041. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.