Spectrum of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders in Hospitalized Children: Multicentric Data From Kolkata

To evaluate the incidence and types of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) in hospitalized children with infection.

This prospective study was conducted in five tertiary-care facilities in Kolkata over two consecutive years between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2020. We included all children aged upto 12 years who were hospitalized and screened them for PID. Children were screened for suspected IPD using Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) Criteria; any child who satisfied at least 2 out of 10 warning signs was further evaluated for PIDs.

Out of 33,204 hospital admissions, 50 children satisfied JMF criteria. Out of 50 children screened during the study period, 27 were finally diagnosed with an underlying PID, with a prevalence of 1 in 1000 hospitalized children. Majority (37.03%) of them had antibody deficiency followed by phagocytic defect (33.3%). Chronic granulomatous disease was the commonest PID followed by common variable immunodeficiency. Around 62.97% children presented with respiratory infections and overall Acinetobacter baumannii was the commonest isolated organism.

Our study presents the first cohort of PID from eastern India. A methodical step-wise clinical and diagnostic approach can facilitate early diagnosis and timely therapeutic interventions.