![]() |
|
October 28th, 2010
03:21 PM ET
How serious is selective IgA deficiency?As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta. From Indu, Waukesha, Wisconsin "My 3-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with selective IgA deficiency. I am really worried. Can you please tell me what is this? What are her risk factors and will she live a normal life? Since three months she has had recurrent sinusitis infections and her blood test showed this deficiency ( IgA =6), No one in our family has this and both my husband and I are quite healthy. What are her options, treatment and any latest information/research in this field?" Answer Indu, Thank you for your question. I know, as a parent, that it can be scary when the doctor tells you that something isn’t quite normal with your child, and you want to understand what may be wrong. The immune system protects us from harmful substances—called antigens—which include bacteria, viruses, toxins, fungus, cancer cells, and allergens. When the body senses the presence of an antigen, it fights it with antibodies, which attach to the foreign substance and help the immune system to destroy them. When the immune system doesn’t produce enough antibodies to fight the antigens it’s called an immunodeficiency disorder. You indicated that your daughter has experienced recurrent sinus infections since she was 3 months old, which is probably why her physician tested her immunity levels —to find out why she might not be fighting off her recurring infections. The immunoglobulin test is a tool that medical professionals can use to help diagnose when the immune system isn’t working properly. People can be born with immunodeficiencies or acquire them through illness or as a side effect of medications. When a child has frequent or unusual infections, doctors may suspect an immunodeficiency. Our bodies produce five types of antibodies including IgA, which is found in mucous membranes, IgG which is found in all body fluids and fights bacterial and viral infections, IgM, found in blood and lymph fluid and is the first line of defense fighting new infections, IgE, which fights allergic reactions, and IgD which is found in the blood and whose function is still uncertain to immunologists. IgA, IgG and IgM are often measured together because they can give useful information about how the immune system is functioning toward infection or autoimmune diseases. Selective deficiency of IgA is the most common immune disorder and is less harmful than other disorders, according to information from the National Institutes of Health. People with this condition have low or deficient levels of immunoglobulin A, the antibody that protects the body and is found in high concentrations in mucous membranes in the respiratory passages, gastrointestinal tract, as well as in tears and saliva. Emory University pediatric allergist Dr. Karen DeMuth said “I would never diagnose a child that age with selective deficiency of IgA,” explaining that more information is needed about her case, and adding that children's immune systems are not fully developed at her age. DeMuth strongly advises that your daughter have a consultation with an immunologist, and she notes that the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is an excellent resource for finding a specialist, as well as for information. While no specific treatment is available for selective deficiency of IgA, it’s important to treat any bacterial infections with antibiotics to prevent them from recurring. If a specialist agrees that your daughter has the disorder, it’s important to know that sometimes this condition will disappear without treatment, and your medical professional is likely to recommend retesting your daughter to see if the deficiency resolves over time. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
I used to be able to find good info from your content.
https://l214.com/lettres-infos/partage/?nom=7ème+jour:+les+poulets+de+chair&url=promotionalproductsforless.com/
I like looking through an article that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!
https://local.google.co.zw/url?q=https://sprinterrepairnearme.com
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I found it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this subject here on your blog.
https://biz.timesfreepress.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.forkliftsforsalenearme.com
Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
https://www.secure.duoservers.com/?lang=en&s_id=123179&rdomain=http://reedthomas.com/&action=order&popup=1
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the web. I will recommend this web site!
https://www.ww17.yourname.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.bestlocalnearme.com
https://paspn.net/default.asp?p=90&gmaction=40&linkid=52&linkurl=https://bestshopnearme.com
http://www.somethinglikeaphenomenon.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=reviewnearme.com
http://www.happylivelife.com/share/?url=https://ocrvcenter.com
I'm excited to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every part of it and I have you saved to fav to see new information on your blog.
https://www.sexy-photos.net/o.php?link=https://bulknearme.com/
http://www.bshare.cn/share?url=http://reviewnearme.com
There's certainly a lot to find out about this topic. I love all the points you made.
http://muvando.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
After exploring a handful of the blog posts on your blog, I really like your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as well and let me know how you feel.
http://chambleega.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.bestservicenearme.com/
The Firefox updated tab comes up everytime i start firefox. What do i do to stop it?
https://twitter.com/katekdesigns
http://www.ptc.gov.np/index.php/site/language/swaplang/1/?redirect=https://bestservicenearme.com
https://toplink.miliweb.net/out-35171.php?web=http://nearmyspot.com/
http://www.benefitguides.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://www.actso.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://enlightenmentthislifetime.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestservicenearme.com/
https://d.hodes.com/r/tp2?e=se&tv=pixel_tracker&aid=homedepot&p=web&se_ca=anonymous&se_ac=click&se_la=ccuid&u=http://bulknearme.com/
http://decorativecuriosities.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.fleetrepairshops.com
https://m.meetme.com/mobile/redirect/unsafe?url=https://ocrvmotorsports.org
http://www.rentalpower.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleetservicerepairshop.com
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing this information.
https://apotheke-hirsch.de/redirect.php?action=url&goto=earme.a2hosted.com/
http://www.mybunnies.net/te/out.php?u=https://ocrv.us
http://www.recordedhistory.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.com
http://www.emilysbeauty.com/guestbook07/go.php?url=http://fleetservicesocrv.com/
http://www.susanbell.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.life
This website was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something that helped me. Appreciate it!
http://achievecraft.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.life
http://www.grtbooks.com/gbc_head.asp?idx=3&sub=0&ref=lucian&URL=http://sprinterrepairnearme.com
After checking out a number of the blog posts on your website, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website too and tell me what you think.
https://sso.siteo.com/index.xml?return=https://ocrvcenter.co
http://kachurmotors.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.club
This is a topic that's near to my heart... Many thanks! Where are your contact details though?
http://www.questionsaboutmoving.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.org/
http://k6a.sapec.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvparts.com
https://netshop.misty.ne.jp/pet/01/out.cgi?id=richesse&url=http://ocrv.vip/
Iím impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog thatís both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
http://cop.santer.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.fun
http://earlenshearing.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.xyz
best erectile medication https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
http://nap.halfmoon.jp/ps_nappy1/ps_search.cgi?act=jump&access=1&url=https://ocrvcenter.com
Itís hard to come by experienced people in this particular topic, but you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
http://www.milf-maniac.com/cgi-bin/at3/out.cgi?id=49&tag=toplist&trade=https://backbonehunters.com/
http://www.endofmoney.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.info
Iím impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
http://ljc.jieju.cn/agent/rdandstat.aspx?url=https://backbonehunters.com
There's definately a lot to know about this subject. I really like all the points you made.
https://gayxcite.com/cgi-bin/a2/out.cgi?id=66&u=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
Good article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the great writing.
http://findit.timesleader.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
http://marine-dealer.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=backbonehunters.com
You need to take part in a contest for one of the greatest sites on the internet. I will recommend this web site!
http://richr.wellymulia.zaxaa.com/b/6306379?s=1&redir=https://ocrvcenter.com/
http://www.bookmerken.de/?url=https://www.ocrvmotorsports.org
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
http://kormanapartments.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=backbonehunters.com
https://www.cracking.com.ar/redir/redir.php?URL=http://consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
Spot on with this write-up, I actually feel this website needs much more attention. Iíll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information!
http://f001.sublimestore.jp/trace.php?pr=default&aid=1&drf=13&bn=1&rd=https://www.backbonehunters.com
I seriously love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this website yourself? Please reply back as Iím trying to create my own personal website and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Appreciate it!
http://dataasculture.org/t.php?u=https://ocrvcenter.com/