David Vetter

David Joseph Vetter III (September 21, 1971–February 22, 1984) was a boy from Houston, Texas who suffered from a rare genetic disease now known as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Forced to live in a sterile environment, he became popular with the media as the boy in the plastic bubble.

Related Topics:
September 21 - 1971 - February 22 - 1984 - Houston - Texas - Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome

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David's parents, David Vetter Jr. and Carol Ann Vetter, had tried to have a child before, but the child died six months after birth. Doctors said that the baby had been born with no immune system due to a genetic condition. Each further child the couple might conceive would also have a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting the same condition. Three doctors from Baylor College of Medicine—John Montgomery, Mary Ann South and Raphael Wilson—told the Vetters that if they had another child with SCID, the child could be placed in a sterile isolator until a cure could be found. The couple were anxious to have another child to carry on the family name. So, believing that after a short treatment their child could live a normal life, they decided to go through another pregnancy.

Related Topics:
Immune system - Genetic - Baylor College of Medicine

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