Babies born in Illinois are already tested for dozens of disorders. Now the state public health department is adding more to that list. Newborns will be tested for SCID (skid) -- a rare genetic disorder that makes babies especially susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
SCID, which has no outward warning signs, can be potentially deadly for an infant.
Tom Schafer (SHAY-fer), with the Illinois Department of Public Health, says while the disorders newborns are tested for are usually rare ... catching and treating them early beats paying the price down the line. "You're going to see developmental delays, mental illness, a lot of costs dealing with the care of that child for their lifetime."
The mandatory panel of tests costs $88 and is tacked onto the cost of birth.
