Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Performance status and deaths among children registered in Kuwait National Primary ImmunoDeficiency Disorders
Waleed Al-Herz1, Mohammad E Zainal, Hamid M Alenezi
1Department of Pediatrics, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait. wemh@hotmail.com
Insights
Children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) face poor performance and high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment for early onset and CMV infections can improve their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) significantly impact children's physical, social, and psychological well-being.
- Understanding performance status and mortality factors in pediatric PIDD is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance status and mortality rates of children with PIDD in Kuwait.
- To identify variables and comorbidities influencing performance and survival in pediatric PIDD patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Kuwait National Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders Registry for 98 pediatric patients.
- Assessed patient performance using the Lansky Play Performance Scale (LPPS) and analyzed mortality data.
- Examined the impact of diagnostic delay, comorbidities, and treatments on LPPS scores and mortality.
Main Results:
- A mean diagnostic delay of 21.2 months was observed.
- The mean LPPS score was 65.5, with significant variations across PIDD categories.
- Factors like early onset (<6 months), CMV infection, consanguinity, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and IVIG therapy significantly affected performance and mortality.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with PIDD exhibit poor performance status and high mortality rates.
- Early diagnosis and targeted interventions for early symptom onset and CMV infections are vital for improving quality of life in PIDD patients.
Abstract:
Children with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) have an increased risk of suffering from physical, social, and psychological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance status and mortality of children with PIDD in Kuwait and to determine the variables and co-morbidities that may affect their performance and risk of death. The data for the children were obtained from Kuwait National Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders Registry describes the patients' characteristics, comorbidities and their treatment regimens. Each patient was scored using the Lansky Play Performance Scale (LPPS), and we evaluated the number of deaths among the children and the effects of different variables on their LPPS scores and mortality. We examined 98 pediatric patients with a mean delay in diagnosis of 21.2 months. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was administered to 57.2% of the patients, whereas intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy was used in 44%. Eight patients underwent bone marrow transplants. The mean LPPS score for all the patients was 65.5, and there was a significant disparity in the mean LPPS scores across PIDD categories. Twenty-one patients died. The variables that were found to have a significant effect on both the LPPS score and the risk of death were an age of onset of less than 6 months, a history of CMV infection, parental consanguinity, the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and IVIG therapy. In conclusion, patients with PIDD have a poor performance status and a high rate of mortality. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapeutic interventions directed at patients with early onset of symptoms and CMV infections can help improve the quality of life of patients with PIDD.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism