Amrita hospital, Kochi, celebrates its 25th anniversary by officially launching the Comprehensive Inborn Errors of Immunity Clinic Amrita (CIEICA). The clinic is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of inborn errors of immunity, a group of genetically inherited disorders that impair the body’s ability to fight off infections and regulate immune responses.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), primary immunodeficiencies affect approximately 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 individuals worldwide. Inborn errors of immunity are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the immune system’s function. These conditions result from defects in genes responsible for the development, maturation, or function of immune cells, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmunity, and other immune-related disorders. These conditions can present as recurrent serious infections, unexplained persistent fever and the early onset of autoimmune disorders. They can also present as Autoinflammatory disorders with recurrent fever and inflammation.
CIEICA brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts who specialize in the field of inborn errors of immunity. The team includes pediatric rheumatologists, pediatric hematologists, primary immune deficiency experts, pediatric geneticists, and pediatric infectious disease experts. By combining their expertise, the team provides comprehensive and personalized care to patients, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Early diagnosis is crucial to managing inborn errors of immunity. With prompt and accurate identification of these conditions, appropriate therapeutic interventions can be initiated early. Treatment options may include prophylactic antibiotics, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, immunomodulators, and, in select cases, bone marrow transplantation. The goal is to save lives and preserve organ function by intervening at the right time.
CIEICA claims to be delivering patient-centered care and improving the quality of life for individuals with inborn errors of immunity. The clinic not only prioritizes childhood cases but also acknowledges the existence of these conditions in adult patients.
Suma Balan, pediatric rheumatologist, Amrita hospital, Kochi said, “We are glad to launch the clinic officially at Amrita hospital, Kochi. Multiple disciplines of Amrita hospital have been working collaboratively in the area of inborn errors of immunity for the past three years. Now we have created an umbrella of CIEICA where the patients can have a one-stop space for hassle-free care”.
She further adds, “Earlier, we were unable to do the diagnosis of the conditions of inborn errors of immunity as access to genetic testing was very difficult. In the last decade, the situation has improved. The CIEICA clinic represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering advanced and specialized healthcare services. Through our dedicated team of experts, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals affected by inborn errors of immunity”.
