Treatment Approved for Brothers with IPEX Syndrome

SWEETWATER, TENN. — TennCare has approved out-of-state treatments for two brothers suffering from a rare genetic disease.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press (https://bit.ly/1bXhIMU) reports that means 2-year-old Tre Johnson and 1-year-old Bryson Johnson of Sweetwater will get treatment at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, which is the leading research hospital for IPEX syndrome.

The boys’ pediatrician says the disease causes their immune systems to attack their bodies instead of offering protection. There can be a multitude of symptoms including diabetes, thyroid disease and skin conditions.