Its important for a doctor to order a blood test to confirm the cause of your symptoms to ensure you dont receive any unnecessary treatment. (2022). In a 2022 study, researchers found lower rates of vaccine-related side effects among 186 people with thalassemia major than in vaccine clinical trials. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. Int J Mol Sci. Who's at Risk for Long COVID? Beta thalassemia major often needs to be treated with regular blood transfusions. People with beta thalassemia may be immunosuppressed if they have impairment of spleen function or had their spleen removed. Dr. DelCollo is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. This could be dangerous, as too much iron can cause serious health problems. (2022). Thalassemias | Johns Hopkins Medicine may help support the immune system's ability to fight infections. Jason DelCollo, DO, is a board-certified medicine physician and associate faculty member at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. eCollection 2022 Aug. See this image and copyright information in PMC. What's the Link Between ARDS and COVID-19? Some of these release special . Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.". A Practical Approach to the Management of Cancer Patients During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An International Collaborative Group. (2022). 2019;133(12):1279-1289.doi:10.1182/blood-2018-10-879247, Yasara N, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for -haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin normally is made of four chainstwo alpha chains and two beta chains. Anecdotal reports are surfacing that some people are developing tinnitus days after receiving one of the COVID vaccines. We studied 255 positive COVID-19 participants unvaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), consecutively . The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. Could some people with thalassemia have a natural immunity against SARS-CoV-2? Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. Thalassemias. (Note: The overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is currently less than 1%.). Iron overload: Frequent transfusions due to thalassemia can cause a build up of iron in the blood, which can, in turn, lead to heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and other issues.These conditions are linked to poorer COVID-19 outcomes. 2020;15(1):265.doi:10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0, Piga A, Perrotta S, Gamberini MR, et al. 1 Platt L, Warwick R. Are some ethnic groups doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0213. In a large Iranian study, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with non-transfusion dependent thalassemia (those with the disease not dependent on transfusions) was much higher than in the general population (45 vs. 22.3 infections per 10,000 people). Getting COVID-19 offers some natural protection or immunity from reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19.It's estimated that getting COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination both result in a low risk of another infection with a similar variant for at least six months.. Epub 2020 Sep 15. Thalassemia trait means you carry the gene that causes the disease, but you dont have the disease yourself. Each one has different subtypes and hence the severity . As an example, on March 17, 2020, the Red Cross announced that their blood reserves were reduced by around 80% in the United States due to canceled donations and reduced distribution. Possible symptoms include: Doctors sometimes mistake symptoms of thalassemia trait for iron deficiency. Experts are warning people that they may have an allergy to red meat if they develop these gastrointestinal symptoms. 2020;40(4):587-601.doi:10.1016/j.cll.2020.08.013, Hossain MS, Raheem E, Siddidqee MH. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. Kakkar S, et al. And people with some blood disorders like sickle cell disease are resistant to malaria, added Dr. Adalja. Treatment can consist of blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are . Information for people with thalassemia - COVID-19 Vaccine Its more common in many of the same parts of the world as alpha-thalassemia. Coronavirus: People with thalassemia face "blood shortage", appeal for Your doctor can address any particular concerns you may have. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 pandemic. It's currently recommended that people with thalassemia who have severe COVID-19 be given blood thinners, though this could change as more is learned. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In order to better describe the frequency and manifestations of COVID-19 in thalassemia patients living in France, we report the cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred during the year 2020. Learn more. The COVID-19 pandemic may affect both the treatment of thalassemia in general and how COVID-19 is treated in people with thalassemia who become infected. 2020; 10.1002/ajh.25840 [Epub ahead of print]. People having hematological disorders and hypercoagulability state need extra precautions because of the increased risk of thrombosis after COVID-19 vaccination. The present statement summarizes the key challenges concerning the management of haemoglobinopathies, with particular focus on patients with either transfusion-dependent or non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia, identifies the gaps in knowledge and suggests measures and strategies to deal with the pandemic, based on available evidence and expert opinions. WHO COVID19 Dashboard. For many people with alopecia areata, dietary changes and adding certain supplements can help manage and treat the condition. Whats the outlook for people who have beta thalassemia? Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Beta Thalassemia in Children - Nationwide Children's Hospital Bender MA, et al. But some silent carriers of alpha-thalassemia may need a DNA test to know for sure. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 2020;91(3):e2020007. Some of these include: Secondary infections (bacterial infections that develop in people with a viral infection such as COVID-19) may be more common in people with thalassemia, especially those who have had their spleen removed. -Thalassemia is the most prevalent single gene blood disorder, while the assessment of its susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) warrants it a pressing biomedical priority. Blood tests can reveal the number of red blood cells and abnormalities in size, shape or color. PDF Clinical Guidance on COVID- 19 Vaccines for People with Thalassemia 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. eCollection 2023. Vulnerability of -thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19: Results from a cohort study. (2022). Beta-thalassemia may protect against COVID 19 - Semantic Scholar Immunity is a complex process that involves a lot of moving parts. The Link Between Blood Type and COVID-19 Risk - Health The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of burden on healthcare . A recent pre-print study has showed a heme attack on the 1-beta chain of hemoglobin by COVID19. However, the results of studies have differed regarding how beta thalassemia affects outcomes. For adults who are immunocompromised, the CDC recommends: People with thalassemia were excluded from COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, so its unclear if vaccines are as effective for people with thalassemia as the general population. If youre a silent carrier or have thalassemia minor, youre unlikely to need typical thalassemia treatments, like blood transfusions or iron therapy. (Source: File Photo) For almost a week now, Delhi resident Komal Mehta has been making frantic calls for O-negative blood for her 16-year-old son, a thalassemia major, who requires a blood transfusion every 21 days.While his blood transfusion of two units was to take place on March 13, Mehta has not been able to . There are some theories on why there could be a link: Your red blood cells are covered with molecules that are known as antigens, Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, told Health. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. IgA Antibodies and IgA Deficiency in SARS-CoV-2 Infection The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially those with chronic illnesses. 2021.doi:10.1016/j.htct.2021.04.003, Dalamaga M, Karampela I, Mantzoros CS. According to research from 2020 and 2021, 93% of U.S. newborn screening programs provide some info on alpha-thalassemia and 85% provide info on beta-thalassemia. Exemptions may be granted for people with severe allergies to COVID-19 vaccines or any of their components. 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 minor and SARS-CoV-2, prevalence, severity, morbidity and mortality: A systematic review study. Expert Rev Hematol. eCollection 2023. What Are the Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome? A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with thalassemia may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor) - Nicklaus Children's Hospital It causes anemia. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. doi:10.1002/ajh.25857, NGO A, Masel D, Cahill C, Blumberg N, Refaiie MA. Mark S. Lesney. Brancaleoni V, et al. People with thalassemia trait dont usually have symptoms. Lets look at why and what you can do about it. Immune responses in beta-thalassaemia: heme - Scientific Reports Working with your healthcare team to keep up with thalassemia treatments, getting vaccinated, and monitoring and treating for complications early if COVID-19 symptoms do develop are the recommended strategies to staying healthy through the pandemic. Some blood donation programs were stopped (or decreased) worldwide, and hesitancy of blood donors to venture out and risk exposure to COVID-19 has also contributed to shortages. (2022). 2020;6(9):FSO628. Abstract. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the While the latest research suggests that antibodies against Covid-19 could be lost in just three months, a new hope has appeared on the horizon: the enigmatic T cell. It's important to note that complications of thalassemia likely played a role in the severity of outcomes. Beta thalassemia. You can still pass on the affected gene, but you wont experience any symptoms. Several genes contribute to the production of hemoglobin. The clues have been mounting . Torti L, Sorrentino F, Maffei L, De Fabritiis P, Abruzzese E. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. Risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by transfusion: A literature review. It causes your body to produce a lower-than-normal amount of hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen. Quite a bit of research has been published on the topic of blood type and its role in determining COVID-19 risk. ; 3 Hemoglobinopathies and Congenital Anemia Center, Ospedale Galliera, Genoa, Italy. EHA and TIF Explore How COVID-19 Is Affecting Thalassemia and SCD Patients. A comprehensive review of studies published in Seminars in Vascular Surgery in September 2021 examined peer-reviewed journal articles published from March 2020 to January 2021. SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with -thalassemia: The French experience. Thalassemia may increase the risk of serious outcomes of COVID-19. The second study (also from October 2020) from researchers in Canada looked at data from 95 patients who were severely ill with COVID-19. When one of these two genes are missing, it can lead to beta thalassemia trait, or beta thalassemia minor. 2023 Mar 2;24(5):4809. doi: 10.3390/ijms24054809. Objectives: hypoxic effect of anaemia in COVID-19 . Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or . 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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 2023 Feb 14;9:1082611. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1082611. Careers. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Many patients with haemoglobinopathies, including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, are at increased risk of developing severe complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The types are beta thalassemia major, intermedia, and minor. "Long COVID" is a term meaning symptoms that persist after the infection has cleared. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Patients with beta-thalassaemia increase the risk of bacterial infections, particularly Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of melioidosis in Thailand. Adrenal insufficiency (a lack of sufficient hormone production by the adrenal glands) can occur with thalassemia. ; 4 Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences . 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. Am J Hematol. Clin Lab Med. Current recommendations are that a person's usual regimen of transfusions should be continued during the pandemic. Thalassemia is a medical condition in which the body makes less hemoglobin than usual. This condition can cause abrupt changes in blood pressure or heart rate that may worsen a person's condition during a COVID-19 infection. They also shouldnt get it if they have a known allergy to a component of the vaccine. COVID vaccine & autoimmune disease FAQ. A protein called the Rh factor can also be present (+) or absent (-) from the blood. In fact, some medications used for thalassemia may actually be helpful. Key points about beta thalassemia in children. World Health Organization (WHO) . 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. A simple blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC) could suggest whether or not you have thalassemia trait. Newborn screening practices and alpha-thalassemia detection United States, 2016. Susceptibility of -Thalassemia Heterozygotes to COVID-19. In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. (2022). PDF Potential factors linked to high COVID-19 death rates in British But blood tests can only lead doctors to presume that you have the trait. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Some studies estimate the worldwide prevalence of alpha-thalassemia trait to be as high as 5%. Experts say that, There are many different types of anemia. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to blood bank shortages, which have created challenges for people with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. If both parents carry a trait for either alpha- or beta-thalassemia, their child could develop a severe form of the disease. Doctors sometimes incorrectly prescribe iron supplements for people with thalassemia trait if they mistake their symptoms for iron deficiency. (2021). Thalassemias are inherited disorders characterized by abnormal production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for -haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic. Only one gene is damaged. While blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy (iron-binding drugs that are sometimes given via infusion) require traveling to a clinic or hospital, there are many healthcare visits that can be handled virtually. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. With more research, we may one day have a clearer understanding of the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types. -. APS is an autoimmune disorder that makes your blood clot easily. Do people with thalassemia trait need treatment? 2023 Feb 9;10:1056599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1056599. Munkongdee T, et al. Ruangvutilert P, et al. 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. A Study Says These 4 Factors May Predict Persistent Symptoms, Journal of the American Medical Association, CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. So, its important to know your status. Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be recommended for some people with thalassemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is Thalassemia? | CDC Thalassemia and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Complications - Verywell Health Thalassemia is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn't make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies PMC and transmitted securely. What Blood Tests Can Help Diagnose Sjgrens Syndrome? But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . Med (Lausanne). Epub 2022 Jul 5. Alpha-thalassemia occurs when your body has trouble producing hemoglobin alpha. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. (2022). Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Lasting immunity found after recovery from COVID-19 2022 Oct;58(10):1760-1765. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16082. . You inherit two copies of each gene one from each parent so four in total. Thalassemia may cause you to experience anemia-like symptoms that range from mild to severe. Care of patients with hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of recommendations. What We Know, 25% chance their child wont have thalassemia trait, 50% chance their child will have thalassemia trait, 25% chance their child will have a severe form of thalassemia. Since those studies, a fair amount of research has been conducted on blood type and COVID-19 risk. They also had a higher chance of developing severe symptoms but didnt have higher rates of ICU admission. An official website of the United States government. Before Co-inheritance of -thalassaemia and -thalassaemia in a prenatal screening population in mainland China. This condition is called anemia. Thalassemia patients also tend to have complications and coexisting conditions that may put them at an increased risk of severe outcomes, such as hospitalization and death, if they do become infected with COVID-19. Guidelines for the Management of Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia, 3rd ed. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes you not to make enough hemoglobin, a protein in your blood. 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The study from Iran found that having a diagnosis of thalassemia was associated with poorer outcomes, particularly for people who have complications of thalassemia. Yes. 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