Treatment of Congenital Athymia

Congenital athymia is an ultra rare condition in which infants are born without a functioning thymus. The thymus is crucial for the development, selection, and maturation of T cells, which are essential in effectively fighting infection and regulating the immune system. Without a functioning thymus, children develop severe immunodeficiency, susceptible to life-threatening infections. Without adequate medical treatment and management, children with congenital athymia usually do not live past the first few years of life. Multiple genetic and syndrome disorders, mutations and deficiencies are associated with congenital athymia. Supportive care, such as strict prevention measures, prophylactic antimicrobials, immunoglobulin replacement and isolation have been the mainstay management of children with congenital athymia. Rethymic is a regenerative tissue-based therapy that is indicated for immune reconstitution in pediatric patients with congenital athymia. The reengineered tissue is implanted in the thigh muscle to help a child with congenital athymia build a functioning immune system to reduce the number of potentially life-threatening infections.