2020;105(4):378-386.doi:10.1111/ejh.13476, Yadav U, Pal R. Challenging Times for Children With Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Beta thalassemia major often needs to be treated with regular blood transfusions. eCollection 2023. However, severe allergic reactions from vaccines are extremely rare. It causes your body to produce a lower-than-normal amount of hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. This causes less severe anemia. What's the Link Between ARDS and COVID-19? About 1.5% of the worlds population carry HBB mutations that cause beta thalassemia. (2022). Newborn screening practices for beta-thalassemia in the United States. But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . Certain medications have been approved to reduce the frequency of transfusions needed. People with certain medical conditions. There are very few medications that are contraindicated (should not be used) in people who may be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or who have developed a COVID-19 infection. De Sanctis V, Canatan D, Corrons JLV, et al. Thalassemia is a medical condition in which the body makes less hemoglobin than usual. Jean-Mignard E, et al. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. Beta Thalassemia in Children - Nationwide Children's Hospital The first study, conducted by . Al-Shamsi HO, Alhazzani W, Alhuraiji A, Coomes EA, Chemaly RF, Almuhanna M, Wolff RA, Ibrahim NK, Chua MLK, Hotte SJ, Meyers BM, Elfiki T, Curigliano G, Eng C, Grothey A, Xie C. Oncologist. The researchers found that people with beta thalassemia minor had: However, the researchers didnt find statistical significance for any of these parameters, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the study. IgA is active against several pathogens, including rotavirus, poliovirus, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2. Vulnerability of -thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19: Results from a cohort study. It was through these findings, that the Danish researchers suggested: "That blood group O is significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.". If your doctor suspects your child has thalassemia, he or she can confirm a diagnosis with blood tests. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. Hemoglobin normally is made of four chainstwo alpha chains and two beta chains. In Beta thalassemia two genes are involved. The result will depend on the number of affected genes. It can cause life threatening heart conditions, such as stroke. At this time, scientists are just beginning to learn how a diagnosis of thalassemia may affect the risk of COVID-19, potential complications, and how the pandemic may affect treatment, but preliminary research has revealed some trends. Should people with thalassemia take vitamins and mineral supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic? Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin. They result in low hemoglobin production and destruction of red blood cells. ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Generale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Some studies estimate the worldwide prevalence of alpha-thalassemia trait to be as high as 5%. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error, Strategies to enhance information sharing between healthcare professionals and patients and their families by developing communication channel and tools (A), setting up a protocol for answering patient queries (B) and maintaining a regular flow of quality information to patients (C) [Colour figure can be viewed at, Patient pathways during the pandemic: general pathway (left panel) and transfusiondependent patient pathway (right panel) [Colour figure can be viewed at, A proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COVID19 in patients with haemoglobinopathies [Colour figure can be viewed at. As a whole, experts recommend that peopleregardless of blood typekeep following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, shopping, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Womens Health, Self, Prevention, Forbes, Daily Beast, and more. For people living with thalassemia, because too much iron may build up in the blood, foods high in iron may need to be limited. Kakkar S, et al. There are three types of thalassemia, one is minor and the other two Alpha and Beta thalassemia are a major threat to health of a person. Let's look at why and how to get support to stop drinking: While not as serious as other causes of chest pain, anemia-related chest pain can be a sign that your current treatment plan isn't working. Recessive means that you need two copies of the faulty gene to have the disease. Update in laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. Some people with thalassemia have cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). They do not require any specific treatment. Alpha and Beta Thalassemia | AAFP And people with some blood disorders like sickle cell disease are resistant to malaria, added Dr. Adalja. Anemia can affect your weight, whether due to its impact on your appetite and activity levels or its underlying cause. hypoxic effect of anaemia in COVID-19 . Exemptions may be granted for people with severe allergies to COVID-19 vaccines or any of their components. But blood tests can only lead doctors to presume that you have the trait. (2022). (2022). doi: 10.4084/MJHID.2023.007. Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal The Johnson & Johnsons Janssen can rarely cause arterial thrombosis, a blood clot in an artery, in people with thrombocytopenia 4 to 30 days after vaccination. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. Gholinataj Jelodar M, Mirzaei S, Dehghan Chenari H. Clin Case Rep. 2022 Aug 3;10(8):e6114. Am J Hematol. Drouin E, et al. 2020;143:110014.doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110014, Motta I, De Amicis MM, Pinto VM, et al. S124: Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. If symptoms occur, theyre likely to be mild. The third group includes people with Thalassemia minor, who have mild anaemia only. Abstract. Read on to learn more about why its important for people with beta thalassemia to get vaccinated and why beta thalassemia may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness. People who are moderate to severely immunocompromised may need additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to stay protected. Within each of these types, the severity varies, from causing moderate to severe anemia to requiring frequent blood transfusions. The researchers recommend that people with thalassemia major should be followed closely by a doctor. Quite a bit of research has been published about blood type and COVID-19 risk. However, more epidemiological studies are required in the aim to obtain a strong signal. The people with hidden immunity against Covid-19 - BBC Future They often share similar symptoms but have different causes as well as different treatments and severity. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. Thalassemia - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic The proposed measures and strategies may be useful as a blueprint for other disorders which require regular hospital visits, as well as for the timely adaptation of patient care during similar future pandemics. chenevex, France. Its considered safer to wait to begin gene therapy or prepare for a stem-cell transplant for thalassemia in communities currently affected by COVID-19. The prevalence among those who were transfusion dependent was roughly the same as people without thalassemia. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. (2022). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Thalassemia International Federation urge people with thalassemia to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If the synthesis from both genes is severely reduced or absent, the person has . Key points about beta thalassemia in children. Although epidemiologic evidence concerning the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in these patients is currently lacking, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for . This may cause you to experience mild anemia. Most states offer religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and some provide exemptions on philosophical grounds. Guidelines for the Management of NonTransfusion Dependent Thalassaemias, 2nd ed. It's important to note that complications of thalassemia likely played a role in the severity of outcomes. If the mutation affects three of your genes, you have a more severe case of alpha-thalassemia. Sotiriou S, et al. For those who have not yet started the medication, delaying the use of the medication should be considered. Chowdhury SF, Anwar S. Management of hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The one gene defect, beta thalassemia trait (minor), is asymptomatic and results in microcytosis and mild anemia. Susceptibility of -Thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19. Before Information for people with thalassemia - COVID-19 Vaccine Lets look at why and what you can do about it. The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. Among people with thalassemia, little is known about long-term complications from COVID-19 at this time. (2022). While there are no specific guidelines at this time, some researchers believe that hemoglobin levels should be monitored closely in people with thalassemia if they develop COVID-19, even when symptoms are only mild. doi:10.1002/ajh.25857, NGO A, Masel D, Cahill C, Blumberg N, Refaiie MA. We avoid using tertiary references. Additionally, COVID-19 has complicated some treatments for thalassemia, such as the availability of lifesaving blood transfusions. 2020;91(3):e2020026. If you become infected, it's important to talk to a doctor knowledgeable about thalassemia regarding any special precautions you should take or changes to your medical plan. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. -. They also had a higher chance of developing severe symptoms but didnt have higher rates of ICU admission. But such tests are often costly. Looking at a small sample group early on in the pandemic, the overall mortality rate of those with thalassemia from a COVID-19 infection was 18.6%, compared with a mortality rate of 4.71% in the general population. Epub 2022 Jul 5. Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor) - Nicklaus Children's Hospital But its most common in the Mediterranean, where incidence can be as high as 15%. Nutrition. A protein called the Rh factor can also be present (+) or absent (-) from the blood. COVID Increases Risk of Long-Term Brain Injury, Study Shows, COVID Tongue: How a Swollen Tongue Could Indicate COVID-19, Even Mild COVID-19 Infections Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Research Shows, CDC Adds Mental Health Conditions to High-risk of Severe Illness From COVID List, COVID-19 Pneumoniathe Lung Infection Caused by Getting COVID-19, Does Sunlight Kill COVID-19 and Does Vitamin D Prevent It? But, overall, the link between blood type, genes, and infection risk is a growing area of research. In a 2022 study, researchers found that people with beta thalassemia minor had a higher chance of dying from COVID-19 than people in the general population. Its also the only way to tell if youre a silent carrier. COVID vaccine & autoimmune disease FAQ. People with thalassemia often experience similar COVID-19 complications as those without thalassemia, but they may be at greater risk for certain problems. COVID-19: beta-thalassemia subjects immunised? - Semantic Scholar People with certain medical conditions. Regular screenings are often recommended. This blood disorder causes your body not to produce enough hemoglobin. eCollection 2022 Aug. See this image and copyright information in PMC. This condition can cause abrupt changes in blood pressure or heart rate that may worsen a person's condition during a COVID-19 infection. Here's What You Need to Know, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last. Guidelines for the Management of Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia, 3rd ed. These transplants should proceed. EHA and TIF on How COVID-19 Affects Thalassemia and SCD Patients PDF Potential factors linked to high COVID-19 death rates in British SARS-CoV-2 infection in beta thalassemia: Preliminary data from the Italian experience. 2020;7:306.doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00306, Mungmunpuntipantip R, Wiwanitkit V. Hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19, Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in April of 2021, reviewed nearly 108,000 COVID-19 cases. The current evidence suggests that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of side effects for most people with autoimmune disease, according to the Global Autoimmune Institute, which reviewed the available scientific literature. (2022). But again, experts say it's too early to know for sure. There are two damaged genes. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. A large repertoire of IgA is produced by B lymphocytes with T-independent and T-dependent mechanisms useful in defense against pathogenic microorganisms and to reduce immune activation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists risk factors that have been identified for developing severe COVID-19, and blood type does not appear. Beta thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia). Should people with thalassemia receive the COVID-19 vaccine? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes you not to make enough hemoglobin, a protein in your blood. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. -, Motta I, Migone De Amicis M, Pinto VM, et al. Epidemiological Surveillance of SARSCov2 in -Thalassemia Patients in the Last Two Years: Reinfection Rate, Insights and Future Challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with thalassemia may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. One small study found that people with the thalassemia trait (carriers) were less likely to develop a COVID-19 infection or die from the disease. Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; haemoglobinopathies; pandemic; thalassaemia. It's recommended that antibiotics be started immediately if people develop a fever or other signs of an infection. Beta thalassemia minor and SARS-CoV-2, prevalence, severity, morbidity and mortality: A systematic review study. We avoid using tertiary references. (2022). (2020). Ruangvutilert P, et al. Can SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted via blood transfusions? Experts estimate 1.5% of the worlds population to be carriers. You'll likely need several tests by different doctors. Learn what having thalassemia may mean for you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by transfusion: A literature review. Globally, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with beta-thalassemia specifically appears to be lower than the general population. If your MCV is too low, they may order further blood tests to check for thalassemia trait. A few options include: Current recommendations are that for people who have been treated with Reblozyl, the medication should be continued even if a person develops COVID-19 (there is no evidence that it should be stopped). This can make them very anaemic (tired, short of breath and pale). Careers. Researchers found inconsistent findings but did identify certain trends suggesting that blood type A might predispose one to increased susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), or that type O and Rh-negative blood groups might be protective. Blood tests can also be used for . doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10155, De Sanctis VD, Canatan D, Corrons JLV, et al. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. Nicosia, Cyprus: Thalassaemia International Federation; 2017. People with this condition will need frequent blood transfusions. Med Hypotheses. 2023 Feb 9;10:1056599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1056599. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. Keywords: See additional information. (2021). (2022). Regardless of if a specific blood type is associated with a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe disease, keep in mind that many other factors, such as age or existing health conditions, are likely to play a larger, dominant role in determining personal risk from COVID-19. 2021;27:e929207. Current recommendations are that a person's usual regimen of transfusions should be continued during the pandemic. It's not known whether blood clots with COVID-19 are more common among people with thalassemia, but healthcare providers should be aware of this potential risk. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are . Farid Y, et al. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that impairs the production of hemoglobin. This means red blood cells aren't made properly or they are destroyed. 2021;16(1):114.doi:10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Knowledge of your blood type is usually important if you're undergoing a blood transfusion or organ transplantbut in those situations, your medical team will test your blood type beforehand. The dosages and timing, however, should be carefully discussed with your healthcare before starting any supplement. People with beta thalassemia minor might never know they have the disease. and transmitted securely. See additional information. FAQs: Expert Answers Questions On Management Tips For Thalassemia EHA and TIF explore how COVID-19 is affecting thalassemia and SCD patients. (2022). -. IgA Antibodies and IgA Deficiency in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Expert Rev Hematol. This could be dangerous, as too much iron can cause serious health problems. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Harewood J, et al. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. COVID-19 and thalassaemia: A position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. An exception is for people who have already begun the conditioning process for a stem-cell transplant. When there isn't enough hemoglobin, the body's red blood cells don't function properly and they last shorter periods of time, so there are fewer healthy red blood cells traveling . If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you have beta-thalassemia minor. When a population has people with pre-existing immunity, as the T cell studies may be indicating is the case, the herd immunity threshold based on an R 0 of 2.5 can be reduced from 60% of a population getting infected right down to 10%, depending on the quantity and distribution of pre-existing immunity among people, Gupta's group calculated. "We still do not understand all the factors at play," said Anupama Nehra, MD, an assistant professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and clinical director of hematology-oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute at University Hospital. While the link between blood type and COVID-19 risk is still unclear, it's important to note that there have been links between blood type and diseases in the past. Beta-Thalassemia minor and SARS-CoV-2, prevalence, severity, morbidity Biochemistry, hemoglobin synthesis. A recent pre-print study has showed a heme attack on the 1-beta chain of hemoglobin by COVID19. Beta thalassemia minor or thalassemia trait. fatalities for sickle cell anaemia carriers and for -thalassaemia carriers. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Orphanet J Rare Dis. Respiratory failure may occur just as with people who do not have thalassemia. But they do test for sickle cell anemia, which can also detect thalassemia. In spite of those terrible limits, this systematic-review meta-analysis opens the way to the confirmation of a possible protection/immunity of beta-thalassemia carriers against COVID-19 concerning incidence and ICU admission markers [7,8]. Patients with beta-thalassaemia increase the risk of bacterial infections, particularly Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of melioidosis in Thailand. There have been multiple studies on blood types and COVID-19 risk. 2023 Mar 2;24(5):4809. doi: 10.3390/ijms24054809. For those who develop COVID-19, doctors should be aware of this increased risk of a secondary bacterial infection so that antibiotics can be started early with any signs, such as a fever. Beta-thalassemia trait is less common. Should you get a COVID vaccine if you have beta thalassemia? Current recommendations for those in the United States is that iron chelation therapy be continued unless symptoms of COVID-19 develop. Theres no cure for Nijmegen breakage syndrome, but its complications can be treated. There are many types of thalassemia. 2020; 10.1002/ajh.25840 [Epub ahead of print]. Quite a bit of research has been published on the topic of blood type and its role in determining COVID-19 risk. A Southeast Asian perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic: hemoglobin E (HbE)-trait confers resistance against COVID-19. doi:10.12659/MSMBR.929207, Drouin E. Beta-thalassemia may protect against COVID 19. ; 3 Hemoglobinopathies and Congenital Anemia Center, Ospedale Galliera, Genoa, Italy. Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin. In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. Bookshelf In many cases, alpha thalassemia may also need blood transfusions to manage. Susceptibility of -Thalassemia Heterozygotes to COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci. Beta thalassemia is the most common blood disorder caused by a mutation in a single gene. SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with -thalassemia: The French experience. In a preprint review of studies from late July 2022, researchers examined how beta thalassemia minor affects outcomes of COVID-19. Needs T, et al. (2020). What Blood Tests Can Help Diagnose Sjgrens Syndrome? COVID-19 vaccine is high priority for cardiac patients. Li L, et al. eCollection 2022. (2022). They also may have antiviral effects and positive effects on the immune system, particularly with RNA viruses (viruses that have RNA as its genetic material, such as the virus causing COVID-19). Therefore, it is unknown if COVID-19 vaccines are as efficacious for patients with thalassemia as they were found to be for the clinical trial participants . Some genes contribute to the alpha chain, while others contribute to the beta chain. beta thalassemia - NIH Director's Blog Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 pandemic. Thalassemia may increase the risk of serious outcomes of COVID-19. government site. The changing epidemiology of the ageing thalassaemia populations: a position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. Beta thalassemia. The immune systems of more than 95% of people who recovered from COVID-19 had durable memories of the virus up to eight months after infection. Acta Biomed. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell, isolated from a . Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which a child has anemia. But if you only have the trait, you may have a slightly increased risk of high blood pressure or anemia during pregnancy, according to 2022 research. If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you are a silent carrier for alpha-thalassemia. By. Prevalence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in transfusion dependent and non-transfusion dependent -thalassemia patients and effects of associated comorbidities: an Iranian nationwide study. These medications bind to iron so that it can be expelled from the body. These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. (2020). Covid-19: Do many people have pre-existing immunity? | The BMJ PDF Clinical Guidance on COVID- 19 Vaccines for People with Thalassemia Accessibility Experts are warning people that they may have an allergy to red meat if they develop these gastrointestinal symptoms. 2020 Oct;13(10):1081-1092. doi: 10.1080/17474086.2020.1819785. Iron . . When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Two recently published studies have found that people who recover from COVID-19 develop antibodies that may last almost a year. Thalassemia: Understanding the Inherited Blood Disorder, What Hemoglobin Does and Why It Is Important, When Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Not What It Appears to Be, What to Know About Chronic Kidney Disease and COVID-19, What to Know About Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19, Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Iron Chelation Preparations and Side Effects, What to Know About Parkinsons Disease and COVID-19, Alpha Thalassemia Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment, What to Know About Organ Transplants and COVID-19, A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand, COVID-19. More research is needed to, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Last medically reviewed on April 6, 2023. You likely wont have any symptoms. Front Med (Lausanne). Those two factors make up the eight most common blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, and AB-. Eur J Haematol. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that has become a global public health concern after being first reported in China and has subsequently spread worldwide. Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive condition. Brancaleoni V, et al. Facial Presentation in People with Beta-Thalassemia Major, The Hidden Signs You May Have a Red Meat Allergy From a Tick Bite, Alpha Thalassemia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More, Alopecia Areata and Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid. Thalassemia: Types, Traits, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic What are the symptoms of beta thalassemia? Heavy alcohol drinking is known to further aggravate anemia. People with beta thalassemia may be immunosuppressed if they have impairment of spleen function or had their spleen removed. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Since hemoglobin levels already run low for many people with thalassemia, the combination of factors has raised some concerns. may help support the immune system's ability to fight infections. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially those with chronic illnesses. Who's at Risk for Long COVID? There are four types of alpha thalassemia, and two main types of beta thalassemia. Management of Hemoglobin Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic