SARS-CoV-2 infection in beta thalassemia: Preliminary data from the Italian experience. Who's at Risk for Long COVID? 2020;91(3):e2020007. If you only receive the gene from one parent, you carry the trait for thalassemia. Two recently published studies have found that people who recover from COVID-19 develop antibodies that may last almost a year. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are conflicting at this time. If your MCV is too low, they may order further blood tests to check for thalassemia trait. There are no specific precautions or warnings for people with thalassemia receiving these vaccines compared with people in the general population. (2022). It causes mild to severe respiratory illness with some flu-like symptoms. Beta thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia). 10.1111/ejh.13410 Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! A recent study in the Lombardy region identified the positivity of anti-Covid-19 antibodies in 4.5 . The use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) can have both positive and negative effects and must be carefully weighed in people with thalassemia. There have been multiple studies on blood types and COVID-19 risk. (2022). 2020;40(4):587-601.doi:10.1016/j.cll.2020.08.013, Hossain MS, Raheem E, Siddidqee MH. A doctor can look at your mean corpuscular volume (MCV) reading on your CBC results to determine the size of your red blood cells. (2022). doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063, Taher AT, Bou-Fakhredin R, Kreidieh F, et al. According to this systematic-review meta-analysis, beta-thalassemia carriers could be less affected by CO VID-19 than the general population and more susceptible to die from COVID-19 or one of its consequences. Blood types can also serve as receptors for viruses and bacteria, and that could be another factor, explained Dr. Russo, there may be some other, completely different component of type O blood that works to prevent infection. 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. The results provide hope that people receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will develop similar lasting immune memories after vaccination. They also indicate that haemochromatosis type 1 might confer some protection. Iron . 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.. Future Sci OA. 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. If symptoms occur, theyre likely to be mild. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everybody over 6 months of age in the United States. 8600 Rockville Pike Hemoglobin allows your red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells throughout your body. Unlike its alpha counterpart, only one gene (HBB) is responsible for making hemoglobin beta. Some studies estimate the worldwide prevalence of alpha-thalassemia trait to be as high as 5%. A second dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least 4 weeks after 1st dose, less susceptibility to developing COVID-19, fewer intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, higher susceptibility to dying from COVID-19, surgery to remove your spleen or gallbladder. Hemoglobin normally is made of four chainstwo alpha chains and two beta chains. Severe thalassemia used to be fatal by early adulthood, but now people frequently live into their 60s or beyond. COVID-19 and thalassemia: Frequently asked questions. For many people with alopecia areata, dietary changes and adding certain supplements can help manage and treat the condition. -, Motta I, Migone De Amicis M, Pinto VM, et al. As thalassemia is considered to be a severe underlying medical condition , both adults and children with thalassemia were excluded from the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. (2021). Keywords: eCollection 2023. Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. 2023 Feb 9;10:1056599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1056599. For example, some of the common complications and coexisting conditions caused by thalassemia may also worsen COVID-19. 2020;91(3):e2020026. Eating nutritious foods is important for everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle - a diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low in fats is ideal for gaining the essential nutrients our bodies need. If you have beta-thalassemia trait, you have a 50% chance of passing on the affected gene to any child you have. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help people with beta thalassemia prevent severe disease and death. Yet, no matter how difficult the trial, there are often positive points. 2023 Feb 14;9:1082611. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1082611. (2022). ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Summary document for interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the United States. Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive condition. The allergy can develop after a, This inherited blood disorder usually requires vitamin supplement. Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. National Library of Medicine In some cases, the inherited mutation can cause the HBB gene to be absent. eCollection 2023. Key areas covered include patients' risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations. Acta Biomed. (2022). 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). The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2022). Beta-thalassemia causes symptoms related to anemia, including weak or brittle bones, and leads to problems with how your bones develop. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. 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. The novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is a contagious acute respiratory infectious disease whose causative agent has been demonstrated to be a novel virus of the coronavirus family, SARSCoV-2. 2020 Sep 25;15(1):265. doi: 10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0. Last medically reviewed on April 6, 2023. ; 2 Department of Internal Medicine, UOC Medicina Generale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 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. Update in laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. The third group includes people with Thalassemia minor, who have mild anaemia only. EHA and TIF explore how COVID-19 is affecting thalassemia and SCD patients. Theres no cure for Nijmegen breakage syndrome, but its complications can be treated. 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. 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 . (2014). Most states offer religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements, and some provide exemptions on philosophical grounds. However, more epidemiological studies are required in the aim to obtain a strong signal. People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time. (2022). 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. Vaccination can help prevent COVID-19 infection and prevent severe illness if you do. Thalassaemia International Federation . It causes anemia. Here, experts weigh in on what you really need to know. Laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. Abstract. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. Susceptibility of -Thalassemia heterozygotes to COVID-19. Heavy alcohol drinking is known to further aggravate anemia. Affiliations 1 Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Universit Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be recommended for some people with thalassemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. With thalassemia trait, your red blood cells are smaller than those in people who dont have the trait. Learn more. What is the treatment for beta thalassemia? 2020;95(8):E198-E199. As published in the New England Journal of Medicine, several months after this non-heritable treatment, all patients no longer needed frequent . Karimi M, Haghpanah S, Zarei T, et al. Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell, isolated from a . When one of these two genes are missing, it can lead to beta thalassemia trait, or beta thalassemia minor. 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. This complication should be monitored and treated as it is for people with other forms of preexisting heart disease. may help support the immune system's ability to fight infections. Thalassemias. A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. Jason DelCollo, DO, is a board-certified medicine physician and associate faculty member at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. 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. People who have had splenectomies have a greater risk of developing bacterial infections as well as sepsis. Am J Hematol. According to the CDC, people shouldnt get vaccinated if they have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Should people with thalassemia take vitamins and mineral supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic? SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with -thalassemia: The French experience. Guidelines for the Management of NonTransfusion Dependent Thalassaemias, 2nd ed. Experts say that, There are many different types of anemia. "Long COVID" is a term meaning symptoms that persist after the infection has cleared. If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you are a silent carrier for alpha-thalassemia. and transmitted securely. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Farmakis D, Giakoumis A, Angastiniotis M, Eleftheriou A. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes you not to make enough hemoglobin, a protein in your blood. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia trait, rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/alpha-thalassemia/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8703506/, rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/thalassemia-major/, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijlh.12527, hematology.org/covid-19/covid-19-and-thalassemia, thalassemia.org/i-have-a-thalassemia-trait/, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0969141314548203, stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-022-02768-5, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7326097/, gimjournal.org/article/S1098-3600(21)02253-X/fulltext, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html, nhlbi.nih.gov/health/thalassemia/pregnancy, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-022-06519-y, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955557/, thalassemia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WhatIsThalTrait_sm.pdf, Everything You Need to Know About Thalassemia. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0213. Special consideration is needed for both people who have had their spleens removed and for those who have had bone marrow/stem cell transplants to treat their thalassemia. Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for people with thalassemia. There are no extra safety precautions necessary for people with beta thalassemia who get vaccinated against COVID-19 when compared with people in the general population. Some of the publications discussing pregnancy in a patient with COVID19 infection mentioned thalassemia, thalassemia trait, and thalassemia minor in the list of comorbidities in the description of their included patients characteristics. Differences in how people have reacted to COVID-19and whyhave occupied researchers throughout the pandemic. Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It causes your body to produce a lower-than-normal amount of hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially those with chronic illnesses. In fact, fewer than 57% of all Americans know their blood type, according to a 2019 survey from Quest Diagnostics. People who are moderate to severely immunocompromised may need additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to stay protected. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies 1,5% global population . Globally, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with beta-thalassemia specifically appears to be lower than the general population. Quite a bit of research has been published on the topic of blood type and its role in determining COVID-19 risk. Early in the pandemic, two studies published in the Blood Advances journal in October 2020 showed a possible link between blood type and vulnerability to COVID-19. 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. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing part of your red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen throughout your body. If youre a silent carrier or have thalassemia minor, youre unlikely to need typical thalassemia treatments, like blood transfusions or iron therapy. 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. What are the risks of having COVID if you have beta thalassemia? Yes. Thalassemias. A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for -haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, the reduction in the blood supply has led many people with thalassemia to receive fewer transfusions than usual, prompting healthcare providers caring for people with the condition to look for options that may reduce the need for or frequency of transfusions. In order of increasing severity, its classified as: People with beta thalassemia minor usually dont develop symptoms and have mild anemia. (2022). Aim: Low levels of immune-related micronutrients have been identified in -thalassemia samples. Some research suggests that people with beta thalassemia may be at an elevated risk of developing severe illness or death from COVID-19, but research is still mixed. Anemia can affect your weight, whether due to its impact on your appetite and activity levels or its underlying cause. (Note: The overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is currently less than 1%.). 2020 Oct;13(10):1081-1092. doi: 10.1080/17474086.2020.1819785. On one side of the equation, glucocorticoids can slow the clearance of the virus from the respiratory tract. Symptoms of moderate anemia may include: Beta thalassemia is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from one or both of your parents. Expert Rev Hematol. If your doctor suspects your child has thalassemia, he or she can confirm a diagnosis with blood tests. If both parents carry a trait for either alpha- or beta-thalassemia, their child could develop a severe form of the disease. 2020 Jun;25(6):e936-e945. Its most common in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. There is some limited evidence that certain types of thalassemia may offer some protection against SARS-CoV-2. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. (2020). 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. 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. There are two damaged genes. Epub 2020 Sep 15. The CDC recommends mRNA vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. 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). Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. Experts Explain. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Strategies to enhance information sharing, Strategies to enhance information sharing between healthcare professionals and patients and their families, Patient pathways during the pandemic: general pathway (left panel) and transfusiondependent patient pathway, A proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COVID19 in patients with haemoglobinopathies [Colour, MeSH Common COVID-19 treatments, including prone positioning (turning a patient on their stomach), non-invasive ventilation (oxygen delivered via a face mask), and intubation and mechanical ventilation (where a tube is inserted down the throat and a machine pumps air in and out of the lungs), may be needed depending on the severity. Without enough hemoglobin, your red blood cells die more quickly, and your organs and tissues dont get enough oxygen. The researchers recommend that people with thalassemia major should be followed closely by a doctor. 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. Lets look at why and what you can do about it. In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. An official website of the United States government. Dr. DelCollo is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Before Methods: When looking into thalassemia and COVID-19 risk, it's important to identify both the risk of potential exposure and susceptibility. rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/thalassemia-major/, bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID-19_vaccine/Thalassemia_Clinical_Guidance.pdf, heart.org/en/beyond-the-table/stories/covid-19-vaccine-is-high-priority-for-cardiac-patients, autoimmuneinstitute.org/vaccine-autoimmune-disease-faq/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8811850/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7321655/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8247188/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9016533/, medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.25.22278009v1.full, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8397014/, ncsl.org/research/health/school-immunization-exemption-state-laws.aspx, cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/summary-interim-clinical-considerations.pdf, cdc.gov/ncbddd/thalassemia/treatment.html, cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html, Everything You Need to Know About Thalassemia, Will COVID-19 Vaccines Give Lifelong Immunity to the Disease? The information in this story is accurate as of press time. 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. Quite a bit of research has been published about blood type and COVID-19 risk. . If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you have beta-thalassemia minor. But you can pass the gene on to future generations. There are a number of reasons why people with thalassemia might be at risk for more severe outcomes with COVID-19. (2022). (2022). 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. Munkongdee T, et al. Your body produces a variety of different cells that fight invading germs. Materials & Methods: Searches of PUBMED and EMBASE were conducted to identify the level and . These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. You'll likely need several tests by different doctors. That said, the shortage of the blood supply has proven challenging. Med (Lausanne). Epub 2022 Jul 5. 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. Thalassemia is a medical condition in which the body makes less hemoglobin than usual. World Health Organization (WHO) . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. People with this condition will need frequent blood transfusions. Biochemistry, hemoglobin synthesis. (2022). 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These drugs can reduce inflammation in blood vessels (endothelial inflammation) during viral infections. Your doctor can address any particular concerns you may have. Li J, et al. COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; haemoglobinopathies; pandemic; thalassaemia. Marion Cook. 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). Thalassemia may increase the risk of serious outcomes of COVID-19. 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. Here are some frequently asked questions people have about beta thalassemia and COVID-19 vaccines. doi:10.1002/ajh.25840, Farmakis D, Giakoumis A, Cannon L, et al. 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. If the mutation affects two genes, you have alpha-thalassemia minor. But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . -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. 2020;91(3):e2020026. 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. (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 . Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by an inherited mutation in your HBB gene. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 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 COVID-19 pandemic has led to blood bank shortages, which have created challenges for people with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. doi:10.2144/fsoa-2020-0110, Papadopoulos KI, Sutheesophon W, Manipalviratn S, Aw TC. Genetic testing is the only way to confirm whether you carry the gene. Commentary: Could iron chelators prove to be useful as an adjunct to COVID-19 Treatment Regimens? 2020;15(1):265.doi:10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0, Piga A, Perrotta S, Gamberini MR, et al. Should you get a COVID vaccine if you have beta thalassemia? (2022). Beta-thalassemia occurs when your body has trouble producing hemoglobin beta. Daidone R, Carollo A, Perricone MP, Messina R, Balistreri CR. 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. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Nicosia, Cyprus: Thalassaemia International Federation; 2014. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Co-inheritance of -thalassaemia and -thalassaemia in a prenatal screening population in mainland China. This shortage has been of even greater concern in South Asia (due to a high incidence of beta-thalassemia), where it's been estimated that 200,000 people depend on regular blood transfusions to manage their condition. 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. But such tests are often costly. 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. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that impairs the production of hemoglobin. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal 2021.doi:10.1016/j.htct.2021.04.003, Dalamaga M, Karampela I, Mantzoros CS. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Other types of thalassemia cause more severe symptoms that can be found earlier in life, usually before a child is . 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. government site. A 2014 Chinese study found that 17.8% of people with beta-thalassemia trait also had genetic mutations that affected the alpha gene. Splenectomy: When a person has a spleen removed for thalassemia, they are more likely to develop a secondary bacterial infection . Epidemiological Surveillance of SARSCov2 in -Thalassemia Patients in the Last Two Years: Reinfection Rate, Insights and Future Challenges. In a 2021 pilot study, researchers found a strong association between the presence of beta thalassemia minor and COVID-19 mortality. What Are the Differences Between the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines? 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.