(2022). A protein called the Rh factor can also be present (+) or absent (-) from the blood. Key points about beta thalassemia in children. 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. Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for people with thalassemia. Key areas covered include patients' risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations. But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . Thalassemia is classified as alpha or beta depending on the part of hemoglobin your body isnt producing in adequate amounts. 2020;40(4):587-601.doi:10.1016/j.cll.2020.08.013, Hossain MS, Raheem E, Siddidqee MH. In a 2022 study, researchers found lower rates of vaccine-related side effects among 186 people with thalassemia major than in vaccine clinical trials. Covid-19: Do many people have pre-existing immunity? | The BMJ Possible symptoms include: Doctors sometimes mistake symptoms of thalassemia trait for iron deficiency. It is possible to have both alpha- and beta-thalassemia. 2020;7:306.doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00306, Mungmunpuntipantip R, Wiwanitkit V. Hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19, Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. Learn what having thalassemia may mean for you during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first study, conducted by Danish researchers, analyzed data from more than 473,000 people tested for COVID-19 with data from a control group of more than 2.2m non-tested people. Yet, no matter how difficult the trial, there are often positive points. Thalassemia trait, aka thalassemia minor, usually doesnt cause health issues. They often share similar symptoms but have different causes as well as different treatments and severity. Treatment is with corticosteroids. A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 In late 2020, a team of researchers in the United States and Europe succeeded for the first time in using CRISPR to treat 10 people with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. doi:10.1002/ajh.25857, NGO A, Masel D, Cahill C, Blumberg N, Refaiie MA. In order of increasing severity, its classified as: People with beta thalassemia minor usually dont develop symptoms and have mild anemia. Objectives: Most people with beta thalassemia major have symptoms within the first 2 years of life. Beta thalassemia. Harewood J, et al. Thalassemia Benefits. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. On one side of the equation, glucocorticoids can slow the clearance of the virus from the respiratory tract. Metabolism. 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. Risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by transfusion: A literature review. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everybody over 6 months of age in the United States. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Healthy Living with Thalassemia | CDC Thalassemia also increases the likelihood to form blood clots. Med (Lausanne). FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy to Treat Adult and Pediatric Patients with Beta-thalassemia Who Require Regular Blood Transfusions. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Hemoglobin is the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. It is caused by genetic defects that control the production of hemoglobin. All rights reserved. Thalassemia results from an affected gene that causes the problem with hemoglobin. ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. 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. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! 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. Your body produces a variety of different cells that fight invading germs. But they do test for sickle cell anemia, which can also detect thalassemia. Guidelines for the Management of Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia, 3rd ed. (2020). Would you like email updates of new search results? Care of patients with hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of recommendations. Those two factors make up the eight most common blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, and AB-. eCollection 2022 Aug. See this image and copyright information in PMC. 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. Additionally, COVID-19 has complicated some treatments for thalassemia, such as the availability of lifesaving blood transfusions. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that impairs the production of hemoglobin. Thalassemia - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic Since thalassemia trait causes only mild symptoms, if any, it usually doesnt affect life expectancy. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;95(8):E198-E199. It's been found that, in general, people who have COVID-19 often have significantly reduced hemoglobin levels, especially with severe disease. (2022). Thalassemia may increase the risk of serious outcomes of COVID-19. If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you have beta-thalassemia minor. "People with type O blood may be more susceptible to norovirus," said infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. We studied 255 positive COVID-19 participants unvaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), consecutively . The study from Iran found that having a diagnosis of thalassemia was associated with poorer outcomes, particularly for people who have complications of thalassemia. This complication should be monitored and treated as it is for people with other forms of preexisting heart disease. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. People with beta thalassemia minor can have anemia so mild they dont know they have it. While the research is early and there is much left to be learned, people who have thalassemia (at least some types) may be more susceptible to contracting coronavirus and having a serious outcome. Epidemiological Surveillance of SARSCov2 in -Thalassemia Patients in the Last Two Years: Reinfection Rate, Insights and Future Challenges. Yes, you can have the trait for both alpha- and beta-thalassemia. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063, Taher AT, Bou-Fakhredin R, Kreidieh F, et al. That means your genetic sex (based on which sex chromosomes you have) doesnt influence whether you inherit the condition. Anecdotal reports are surfacing that some people are developing tinnitus days after receiving one of the COVID vaccines. On the other, people with thalassemia may be at risk of adrenal insufficiency (adrenal crisis), which can worsen a person's condition with severe COVID-19. Orphanet J Rare Dis. Some people with thalassemia have cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). Quite a bit of research has been published about blood type and COVID-19 risk. Indian Pediatr. Mark S. Lesney. (2022). In general, if both parents have thalassemia trait, theres a: Because more genes are involved in alpha-thalassemia trait, there are several possible outcomes depending on each parents combination of genes. 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. However, the results have been inconsistent and so the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types still isn't clear. People with thalassemia often experience similar COVID-19 complications as those without thalassemia, but they may be at greater risk for certain problems. (2022). For people living with thalassemia, because too much iron may build up in the blood, foods high in iron may need to be limited. 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. If you have potential symptoms of beta thalassemia, a doctor may order a blood test to look for signs of the disease. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Thalassaemia International Federation . Clin Lab Med. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. Some research findings have suggested that people with blood types A and AB are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, while those with blood type O are less likely to test positive for the virus. Lansiaux E, et al. Objectives: 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). Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. There are a number of factors that might increase the chances of a person with thalassemia being exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The dosages and timing, however, should be carefully discussed with your healthcare before starting any supplement. ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Generale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor) - Nicklaus Children's Hospital Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & Methods: Searches of PUBMED and EMBASE were conducted to identify the level and . The use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) can have both positive and negative effects and must be carefully weighed in people with thalassemia. Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. April 20, 2020. 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.". At the current time, this is primarily an academic theory. Can Being Heterozygous for the Beta-Thalassemia Trait Affect Your Pregnancy? WHO COVID19 Dashboard. The site is secure. That said, the shortage of the blood supply has proven challenging. You can still pass on the affected gene, but you wont experience any symptoms. Beta thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia). If you're living with thalassemia, you may be at greater risk for serious outcomes of COVID-19. Hemoglobin normally is made of four chainstwo alpha chains and two beta chains. To begin, think of something you've had time to do that you'd otherwise not have time for, or something you learned. eCollection 2022. may help support the immune system's ability to fight infections. Quite a bit of research has been published on the topic of blood type and its role in determining COVID-19 risk. COVID-19 and thalassaemia: A position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. 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. People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Beta thalassemia. 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. 2021 Mar 1;16(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. Parakh N, Pahuja S, Singh V, Kumar N, Chandra J. J Paediatr Child Health. Do people with thalassemia trait need treatment? Some of these release special . An exception is for people who have already begun the conditioning process for a stem-cell transplant. If your MCV is too low, they may order further blood tests to check for thalassemia trait. Vulnerability of -thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19: Results from a cohort study. Eur J Haematol. 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. All rights reserved. The researchers recommend that people with thalassemia major should be followed closely by a doctor. For those who have not yet started the medication, delaying the use of the medication should be considered. Scientists use + to indicate a gene mutation that lowers production and 0 to indicate a mutation that causes the gene to be absent. This condition is called anemia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with thalassemia may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 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. Bender MA, et al. Management of Hemoglobin Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. But you can pass the gene on to future generations. S124: Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. (2021). FOIA A doctor can look at your mean corpuscular volume (MCV) reading on your CBC results to determine the size of your red blood cells. COVID-19 vaccine is high priority for cardiac patients. 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. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. 2022 Oct;58(10):1760-1765. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16082. Can You Get a COVID Vaccine If You Have Beta Thalassemia? - Healthline doi: 10.4084/MJHID.2023.007. These diseases usually occur only in people who have at least two abnormal . Vaccines can help people with beta thalassemia lower their chances of getting COVID-19 or having severe illness if they do get COVID-19. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (2022). About 1.5% of the worlds population carry HBB mutations that cause beta thalassemia. Its most common in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. 2020 Sep 25;15(1):265. doi: 10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0. (2022). These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. Whats the outlook for people who have beta thalassemia? Treatment may include regular blood transfusions. Herd immunity and COVID-19: What you need to know COVID-19: Beta-Thalassemia Subjects Immunised? - Preprints Sotiriou S, et al. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. People with certain medical conditions. (2022). (2022). A 2022 study found that people with beta-thalassemia trait were also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. Six had their spleens removed. Dr. DelCollo is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. However, certain issues, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, blood clots, and heart-related complications, should be monitored for. Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be recommended for some people with thalassemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other types of thalassemia cause more severe symptoms that can be found earlier in life, usually before a child is . 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. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. There have been multiple studies on blood types and COVID-19 risk. In a very small French study, researchers found that people with thalassemia under the age of 60 had higher rates of severe disease and hospitalization than the general population. APS is an autoimmune disorder that makes your blood clot easily. Lack of hemoglobin can lead to insufficient oxygen in your bodily tissues. Newborn screening tests in the United States dont specifically check for thalassemia trait. COVID vaccine & autoimmune disease FAQ. 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. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. You likely wont have any symptoms. It's not known whether this therapy has any effect on the outcomes of COVID-19 in people with thalassemia. You inherit two copies of this gene one from each parent. Thalassemias. The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. Noun P, Ibrahim A, Hodroj MH, Bou-Fakhredin R, Taher AT. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell, isolated from a . Marhaeni W, Felicia FV, Sumadi Jap AL, Hartoyo E, Andayani P. Front Med (Lausanne). (2021). 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. As a whole, experts recommend that peopleregardless of blood typekeep following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If the synthesis from both genes is severely reduced or absent, the person has . Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or . A Southeast Asian perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic: hemoglobin E (HbE)-trait confers resistance against COVID-19. In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. EHA and TIF Explore How COVID-19 Is Affecting Thalassemia and SCD Patients. COVID-19 and thalassemia: Frequently asked questions. At the current time, there is no evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted by blood transfusion, and if present at all, the risk is likely to be very low. In a preprint review of studies from late July 2022, researchers examined how beta thalassemia minor affects outcomes of COVID-19. 2020;91(3):e2020007. Thalassemia: Complications and Treatment | CDC Current recommendations for those in the United States is that iron chelation therapy be continued unless symptoms of COVID-19 develop. This is the most important step in keeping you out of the hospital and alive. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Beta Thalassemia in Children - Nationwide Children's Hospital A simple blood test could let a doctor know if you have alpha- or beta-thalassemia minor. How do I know if I have thalassemia trait? The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Read our, Risk of Severe Outcomes From COVID-19 for People With Thalassemia, Complications of Thalassemia and COVID-19, People Who Have Had a Splenectomy and Transplant Recipients. If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you are a silent carrier for alpha-thalassemia. Hemoglobin allows your red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells throughout your body. Newborn screening practices and alpha-thalassemia detection United States, 2016. People who have had splenectomies have a greater risk of developing bacterial infections as well as sepsis. Alpha thalassemia. 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 . That means getting vaccinated and boosted, social distancing, wearing a mask in public, and washing your hands regularly, among other things. With more research, we may one day have a clearer understanding of the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types. Jason DelCollo, DO, is a board-certified medicine physician and associate faculty member at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "All may acquire COVID-19 and all should take the recommended precautions to reduce the risk.". 8600 Rockville Pike (2020). SARS-CoV-2 infection in beta thalassemia: Preliminary data from the Italian experience. When looking into thalassemia and COVID-19 risk, it's important to identify both the risk of potential exposure and susceptibility. Beta thalassemia major often needs to be treated with regular blood transfusions. In Beta thalassemia two genes are involved. Aim: Low levels of immune-related micronutrients have been identified in -thalassemia samples. World Health Organization (WHO) . Hemoglobin is the iron-containing part of your red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen throughout your body. (2022). Beta-thalassemia results of a default in the hemoglobin beta- chain synthesis. Farmakis D, Giakoumis A, Angastiniotis M, Eleftheriou A.
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thalassemia minor and covid immunity