Is it immoral for me to have a baby?

[syd]

Hey all,

It's been a while since I've posted something, glad to be back.

Recently I've been thinking about the ethical questions that are raised in concern to people with CVID having babies.

I've heard that the chances of passing the disease on are small but there is still a chance so I think it's a valid question/concern.

A friend asked me what I was worried about, she said that I appeared to live a fairly normal life, which is true. I pop to the hospital every 3 weeks and take antibiotics but apart from that, it's not so bad.

Nonetheless, it's still not something I'd want my children to have. Not only because of the ailments that you suffer but also because of the limits it puts on your life. My life dreams were kind of crushed when I found out that I can't really travel much and I can't live in countries that don't have a national health service.

Anyway, it seems to me that most people have been advised that it's perfectly ok to have children. Do you agree?

Cheers,

Syd

[john]

Hi Syd, Welcome back!!
Hope you're now taking your treatment as a normal part of your life and are keeping well. You say you have antibiotics every three weeks, I'm guessing you mean antibodies??
Most of the people with PIDs who I see in my clinic have no idea where their immunodeficiency came from, and I don't remember anyone telling me that they had passed the problem onto their children, so my own instinct is that if you want to have children just go for it.
Of course I'm assuming that you will liase with your immunologist before you start and get his/her opinion, and that you haven't been tested at some time and found to be suffering from one of the extremely rare genetically linked forms of immunodeficiency such as XLA.
I am a bit sad to hear that you feel limited in your travel aspirations. As long as your trip can be tailored around your treatment, the sky's the limit. I have done my fair share or travelling and know lots of PID people who are even more adventurous than me with their destinations!!
So in answer to your question, I do not think it's immoral to have children if you both want them!!!

[supersub70]

Hi,
I had the same worries two years ago just before we were due to start a family and I was told by my specialist to 'go for it!' and that the chances of passing it onto my children were very small indeed. Apart form the usual childhood ailments that ALL children get my two have had no problems <touches wood> - That doesn't mean we're complacent and we're always watching out for signs and repeat infections but so far so good.

[john]

Thanks for posting this, there's nothing like first hand information!
It's good to hear that your children are well, and it's always good to know they're wanted and cared for.
So... welcome to our little support group on the web, I hope you get plenty out of it and can put plenty back in.

[s162216]

Syd as others have said, CVID does not normally pass through children as most cases of it are the result of new mutations although in some rare instances it can (likely because CVID is a collection of about 40 know immunodeficiency conditions with similar clinical presentation but different causes which are usually unknown e.g at any stage of antibody synthesis, T-cell stimulating problems etc) but no clear inheritance patterns have ever been found to my knowledge which is likely because for 99% of patients the exact reason is unknown and as so its likely that even 2 CVID patients having a child together would not have a child with it (as both parents would likely have different reasons for not producing antibodies).

If your worried about the potential risk then you could ask your immunologist to see a genetic counsellor who would discuss and advise you and your partner about the issue so you can make an informed choice.

Sam

[syd]

Wow, thanks a lot everyone. Look, I'm going to write a proper reply soon. It's juts that I don't have internet in my house! I'm writing this on mobile! X

[syd]

Ok!

John: Thanks, it's good to be back! Actually I take antibiotics (Azitromicina) every 2 weeks and I have my antibodies every 3 weeks. I don't know why I have to take the antibiotics but the specialist seems to think they are necessary. I hate them, I think they are probably doing damage to other parts of my body but I feel better so...I guess I can't complain for the moment.

And John, I'd be very interested to hear about your and your friends' travel experiences. My doctor explained that the main problem is that vaccinations perhaps don't work on me so it would be travelling as if I hadn't had the vaccinations. And then if I were unlucky enough to catch a bad bug, I'd be more likely to have complications and so on. Where have you travelled to?

supersub70: That's great news! How old are they now? It's comforting to hear. I don't have any particular plans to have children right now. Me and my girlfriend have been...thinking about the future and I know she desperately wants children (in her belly!) and it just made me think that I better research my illness a bit more because if I couldn't or shouldn't have children, it would completely change the nature of the relationships I can have with women!

Sam: I'm not sure I could see a genetic counsellor here in Spain. It's probably something I'd have to pay for, I'm not sure. I spoke to my normal specialist and he told me to go ahead and have as many babies as I like!

[supersub70]

Syd,

My two are nearly 2 years and only 4 months respectively. I don't believe they even start to test for Immune deficiencies (if suspected) until they are at least 3 years old and even then it's relatively rare to test at that early stage. However, please don't let that put you off my personal advice, as I say I was advised not to worry about the probabilities/risks.
Kids get infections - fact! They pick all sorts up from playgroups, child minders, parties etc. And sometime they do get one thing after another but talk to other parents and their kids are just the same. It's all part of being a parent, and a nice job it is too We have a relatively rare condition and CVID is not known as being hereditary so as long as your Girlfriend is fully aware of your condition then morally you have nothing to fear.
Hope that helps you make an informed and personal decision.

[sara74]

hello....

i had my son before i was diagnosed and he is fine, touch wood, if it wasnt for the shocking health i suffered when pregnant i would never have been diagnosed as quick, people pass on far worse things than cvid, as said before as long as everyone knows whats going on then why not!

sara