FOIA An exception is for people who have already begun the conditioning process for a stem-cell transplant. The results provide hope that people receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will develop similar lasting immune memories after vaccination. (2022). Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by an inherited mutation in your HBB gene. The site is secure. The clues have been mounting . Beta-thalassemia is widespread in the world but is a rare disease in France with an estimated prevalence of 12 per 1,000,000 for severe forms. The results align with the results of other studies from countries around the world. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The second study (also from October 2020) from researchers in Canada looked at data from 95 patients who were severely ill with COVID-19. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are conflicting at this time. (2021). Abstract. The information in this article is current as of the date listed. Thalassemia: Complications & treatment. Eur J Haematol. Here, experts weigh in on what you really need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vaccine safety and effectiveness for people with beta thalassemia. Anecdotal reports are surfacing that some people are developing tinnitus days after receiving one of the COVID vaccines. They may not live a normal lifespan. There have been multiple studies on blood types and COVID-19 risk. 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. Laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. Thalassaemia International Federation . (2022). Most states offer religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and some provide exemptions on philosophical grounds. Some people have been re-infected multiple times with the virus, while others appear to have avoided the virus entirely. Exemptions may be granted for people with severe allergies to COVID-19 vaccines or any of their components. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially those with chronic illnesses. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of burden on healthcare . Differences in how people have reacted to COVID-19and whyhave occupied researchers throughout the pandemic. Genetic correction of concurrent - and -thalassemia patient-derived pluripotent stem cells by the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Guidelines for the Management of NonTransfusion Dependent Thalassaemias, 2nd ed. When one of these two genes are missing, it can lead to beta thalassemia trait, or beta thalassemia minor. (2022). IgA Antibodies and IgA Deficiency in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. 2020;143:110014.doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110014, Motta I, De Amicis MM, Pinto VM, et al. You'll likely need several tests by different doctors. It's hard to focus on positives at this time, but sometimes making an effort can help you find a sense of gratitude that would otherwise be elusive. Bender MA, et al. COVID Natural Immunity: What You Need to Know Impact of IFN-1a in treatment of a COVID-19 patient with beta thalassemia and diabetes mellitus: A case report. Harewood J, et al. They agree that unless you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine because some people with thalassemia have a higher chance of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19. But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . If your doctor suspects your child has thalassemia, he or she can confirm a diagnosis with blood tests. Acta Biomed. Beta-thalassemia may protect against COVID 19 - Semantic Scholar (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 . 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. -. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that impairs the production of hemoglobin. Transfusion. Iron overload due to repeated transfusions is the cause of many complications seen with thalassemia, and therefore many people are treated with iron chelation therapy. As a whole, experts recommend that peopleregardless of blood typekeep following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. How do I know if I have thalassemia trait? Karimi M, Haghpanah S, Zarei T, et al. In many cases, alpha thalassemia may also need blood transfusions to manage. Whats the outlook for people who have beta thalassemia? People with beta thalassemia minor can have anemia so mild they dont know they have it. 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. 2020;95(8):E208-E210. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0213. What is the treatment for beta thalassemia? Noun P, Ibrahim A, Hodroj MH, Bou-Fakhredin R, Taher AT. 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. "Long COVID" is a term meaning symptoms that persist after the infection has cleared. 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.. When looking into thalassemia and COVID-19 risk, it's important to identify both the risk of potential exposure and susceptibility. People with certain medical conditions. People with thalassemia should assume that they are as likely to become infected as the general population and are more likely to have severe outcomes. On one side of the equation, glucocorticoids can slow the clearance of the virus from the respiratory tract. Would you like email updates of new search results? You inherit two copies of this gene one from each parent. 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. Additionally, COVID-19 has complicated some treatments for thalassemia, such as the availability of lifesaving blood transfusions. In a 2022 study, researchers found lower rates of vaccine-related side effects among 186 people with thalassemia major than in vaccine clinical trials. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. 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. EHA and TIF Explore How COVID-19 Is Affecting Thalassemia and SCD Patients. SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with -thalassemia: The French See additional information. People with thalassemia tend to experience similar complications from COVID-19 as those without thalassemia. People with beta thalassemia minor might never know they have the disease. Beta Thalassemia in Children - Nationwide Children's Hospital There are four types of alpha thalassemia, and two main types of beta thalassemia. Consider talking with a doctor about testing for thalassemia trait if theres a history of thalassemia or thalassemia trait in your family, or if you plan to have a child with someone who has the trait or a family history of it. 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. Learn more. 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. and transmitted securely. Chowdhury SF, Anwar S. Management of hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thalassemia: Complications and Treatment | CDC Guidelines for the Management of Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia, 3rd ed. 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. These transplants should proceed. beta thalassemia - NIH Director's Blog 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. Thalassaemia - NHS Immunity is your body's ability to protect you from getting sick when you are exposed to an infectious agent ("germ") such as a bacterium, virus, parasite or fungus. Adrenal insufficiency (a lack of sufficient hormone production by the adrenal glands) can occur with thalassemia. COVID-19: beta-thalassemia subjects immunised? - Semantic Scholar This condition is called anemia. They do not require any specific treatment. Before These drugs can reduce inflammation in blood vessels (endothelial inflammation) during viral infections. -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. 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. 2021;16(1):114.doi:10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. (2014). HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you have beta-thalassemia minor. At the current time, this is primarily an academic theory. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Genetic testing is the only way to confirm whether you carry the gene. Materials & Methods: Searches of PUBMED and EMBASE were conducted to identify the level and . Accessibility official website and that any information you provide is encrypted These medications bind to iron so that it can be expelled from the body. People who are moderate to severely immunocompromised may need additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to stay protected. Management of Hemoglobin Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic In some cases, the inherited mutation can cause the HBB gene to be absent. 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. Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. PMC Beta thalassemia major often needs to be treated with regular blood transfusions. The one gene defect, beta thalassemia trait (minor), is asymptomatic and results in microcytosis and mild anemia. Experts say that, There are many different types of anemia. Indian Pediatr. 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? Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. In fact, some people prefer being able to communicate with their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own home. Keywords: What Blood Tests Can Help Diagnose Sjgrens Syndrome? Orphanet J Rare Dis. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help people with beta thalassemia prevent severe disease and death. 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. Biochemistry, hemoglobin synthesis. Since hemoglobin levels already run low for many people with thalassemia, the combination of factors has raised some concerns. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are . Blood types are split up into four major groups, all dependent on the presence or absence of two specific antigens on the surface of the blood: A and B, according to the American Red Cross. Severe thalassemia used to be fatal by early adulthood, but now people frequently live into their 60s or beyond. Blood type has been identified as a risk factor in many diseases, from cancer to venous and arterial thromboembolism. Hemoglobin allows your red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells throughout your body. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Experts are warning people that they may have an allergy to red meat if they develop these gastrointestinal symptoms. (2022). Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Thalassemia Benefits. 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. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. What are the risks of having COVID if you have beta thalassemia? Like in alpha-thalassemia minor, your red blood cells will be smaller, and you may experience mild anemia. Your red blood cells are likely to be smaller than is typical. However, certain issues, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, blood clots, and heart-related complications, should be monitored for. Symptoms of moderate anemia may include: Beta thalassemia is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from one or both of your parents. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be recommended for some people with thalassemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Sci OA. Iron chelation therapy is also a vital treatment for people with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and should be continued until COVID-19 symptoms develop. People having hematological disorders and hypercoagulability state need extra precautions because of the increased risk of thrombosis after COVID-19 vaccination. Sotiriou S, et al. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Nutrition. Orphanet J Rare Dis. (2022). Vaccines can help people with beta thalassemia lower their chances of getting COVID-19 or having severe illness if they do get COVID-19. Marhaeni W, Felicia FV, Sumadi Jap AL, Hartoyo E, Andayani P. Front Med (Lausanne). The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. Some genes contribute to the alpha chain, while others contribute to the beta chain. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. Li J, et al. Possible symptoms include: Doctors sometimes mistake symptoms of thalassemia trait for iron deficiency. 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. A protein called the Rh factor can also be present (+) or absent (-) from the blood. Lets look at why and what you can do about it. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. 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. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that is associated with a reduction in hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs) and, subsequently, insufficient oxygen reaching cells in . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. People with the intermedia or major forms of the disease have HBB mutations from both parents. But some researchers believe it may, based on the primarily mild symptoms of COVID-19 in people with thalassemia found in a study out of Southeast Asia. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. So, its important to know your status. Pregnancy outcomes among women affected with thalassemia traits. Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. It's also helpful to know your blood typespecifically the Rh factorduring pregnancy, so your doctor can troubleshoot if the unborn baby has a different Rh factor. If you only receive the gene from one parent, you carry the trait for thalassemia. A 2022 study found that people with beta-thalassemia trait were also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Beta Thalassemia Trait (Minor) - Nicklaus Children's Hospital Vaccines & immunizations: Use of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. (2022). Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. It's been found that, in general, people who have COVID-19 often have significantly reduced hemoglobin levels, especially with severe disease. 2020;91(3):e2020007. Learn more. As new research becomes available, well update this article. Am J Hematol. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or . Certain medications have been approved to reduce the frequency of transfusions needed. People with certain medical conditions, 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, Care of patients with hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of recommendations, Blood banking and transfusion medicine challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective, Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia, A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for -haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic, FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy to Treat Adult and Pediatric Patients with Beta-thalassemia Who Require Regular Blood Transfusions, Management of hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Could iron chelators prove to be useful as an adjunct to COVID-19 Treatment Regimens, Risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by transfusion: A literature review, Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 pandemic, A Southeast Asian perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic: hemoglobin E (HbE)-trait confers resistance against COVID-19, Beta-thalassemia may protect against COVID 19, SARS-CoV-2 infection in beta thalassemia: Preliminary data from the Italian experience, COVID-19 and thalassaemia: A position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation, Challenging Times for Children With Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, Reduced immune response: Excess iron can build up in regions of the body such as the. Blood tests can also be used for . In this study, the most common side effects in people with thalassemia were: Researchers are still examining how COVID-19 affects people with beta thalassemia. 2020;105(1):1623. Summary document for interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the United States. 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. Vitamin and mineral supplementation for -thalassemia during COVID-19 pandemic. (Note: The overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is currently less than 1%.). In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. It can cause life threatening heart conditions, such as stroke. 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. 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. Thalassaemia International Federation . (2022). Folic acid can help red blood cells develop. 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. Methods: Several genes contribute to the production of hemoglobin. S124: Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. Within each of these types, the severity varies, from causing moderate to severe anemia to requiring frequent blood transfusions. Li L, et al. 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. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. Should people with thalassemia receive the COVID-19 vaccine? Update in laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. The changing epidemiology of the ageing thalassaemia populations: a position statement of the Thalassaemia International Federation. For those who have not yet started the medication, delaying the use of the medication should be considered.