What's the Link Between ARDS and COVID-19? Abstract. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Daidone R, Carollo A, Perricone MP, Messina R, Balistreri CR. Facial Presentation in People with Beta-Thalassemia Major, The Hidden Signs You May Have a Red Meat Allergy From a Tick Bite, Alpha Thalassemia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More, Alopecia Areata and Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid. These medications bind to iron so that it can be expelled from the body. Guidelines for the Management of NonTransfusion Dependent Thalassaemias, 2nd ed. Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. and transmitted securely. 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. These transplants should proceed. Doctors sometimes incorrectly prescribe iron supplements for people with thalassemia trait if they mistake their symptoms for iron deficiency. SARSCoV2 infection in beta thalassemia: preliminary data from the Italian experience. (2020). These diseases usually occur only in people who have at least two abnormal . See additional information. As new research becomes available, well update this article. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal ; 3 Hemoglobinopathies and Congenital Anemia Center, Ospedale Galliera, Genoa, Italy. Learn what having thalassemia may mean for you during the COVID-19 pandemic. These antigens help prompt a response from your body's immune system. These findings may be due to statistical randomness because of the small sample size. Symptoms of moderate anemia may include: Beta thalassemia is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from one or both of your parents. The dosages and timing, however, should be carefully discussed with your healthcare before starting any supplement. 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. 24. You can still pass on the affected gene, but you wont experience any symptoms. They do not require any specific treatment. 2021;16(1):114.doi:10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. 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. Brancaleoni V, et al. National Library of Medicine Whats the outlook for people who have beta thalassemia? But its most common in the Mediterranean, where incidence can be as high as 15%. Needs T, et al. With thalassemia trait, your red blood cells are smaller than those in people who dont have the trait. 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. Bender MA, et al. They only have one mutated HBB gene from their parents. Lack of hemoglobin can lead to insufficient oxygen in your bodily tissues. "Long COVID" is a term meaning symptoms that persist after the infection has cleared. Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. EHA and TIF explore how COVID-19 is affecting thalassemia and SCD patients. Delaporta P, et al. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. There are no specific precautions or warnings for people with thalassemia receiving these vaccines compared with people in the general population. (2022). What Research Says About the Link Between COVID-19 and Blood Type, What the Blood Link Research Means for You, Omicron vs. Delta: How the 2 COVID-19 Variants Compare, ShinglesHerpes ZosterInfection May Be Linked to the COVID-19 Vaccine, Can COVID-19 Cause Diabetes? April 21, 2020. Eur J Haematol. Beta thalassemia. 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? (2022). Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. There are four types of alpha thalassemia, and two main types of beta thalassemia. We avoid using tertiary references. A recent pre-print study has showed a heme attack on the 1-beta chain of hemoglobin by COVID19. (2020). 2020;95(8):E208-E210. However, the results of studies have differed regarding how beta thalassemia affects outcomes. A recent study in the Lombardy region identified the positivity of anti-Covid-19 antibodies in 4.5 . But again, experts say it's too early to know for sure. Torti L, Sorrentino F, Maffei L, De Fabritiis P, Abruzzese E. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. Researchers found no link between blood type and COVID-19 risk, adding that more research was needed on the topic. Update in laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia. Blood tests can reveal the number of red blood cells and abnormalities in size, shape or color. Its also the only way to tell if youre a silent carrier. Acta Biomed. COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; haemoglobinopathies; pandemic; thalassaemia. 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. Vaccination can help prevent COVID-19 infection and prevent severe illness if you do. But some silent carriers of alpha-thalassemia may need a DNA test to know for sure. Its more common in many of the same parts of the world as alpha-thalassemia. Vaccination is particularly important for people with cardiovascular disease because theyre more likely to develop severe complications from COVID-19 infection. Careers. Yet, no matter how difficult the trial, there are often positive points. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If you do, theyll be mild. Dr. DelCollo is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. The researchers recommend that people with thalassemia major should be followed closely by a doctor. This complication should be monitored and treated as it is for people with other forms of preexisting heart disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to blood bank shortages, which have created challenges for people with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Like in alpha-thalassemia minor, your red blood cells will be smaller, and you may experience mild anemia. A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, thalassemia can affect your ability to become pregnant and increase your risk of complications if you do. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Epub 2020 Apr 27. Orphanet J Rare Dis. Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Tinnitus? 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. (2022). Globally, the prevalence of COVID-19 in people with beta-thalassemia specifically appears to be lower than the general population. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. People with thalassemia often experience similar COVID-19 complications as those without thalassemia, but they may be at greater risk for certain problems. Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. 2020;40(4):587-601.doi:10.1016/j.cll.2020.08.013, Hossain MS, Raheem E, Siddidqee MH. Adrenal insufficiency (a lack of sufficient hormone production by the adrenal glands) can occur with thalassemia. People with thalassemia trait dont usually have symptoms. Orphanet J Rare Dis. (2022). By. There has also been a shortage at other steps in the process, such as personnel available to perform collections, as well as process and deliver donated blood. 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. Expert Rev Hematol. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. But, overall, the link between blood type, genes, and infection risk is a growing area of research. People with certain medical conditions. There are two damaged genes. So, its important to know your status. Autosomal means the affected genes arent on sex chromosomes. You likely wont have symptoms or may have mild symptoms. 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. If you have one unaffected gene, it mostly overrides the faulty gene. A simple blood test could let a doctor know if you have alpha- or beta-thalassemia minor. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063, Taher AT, Bou-Fakhredin R, Kreidieh F, et al. 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. 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. marion.cook@wanadoo.fr. In thalassemia, the body is unable to make either alpha or beta chains in adequate amounts. Quite a bit of research has been published about blood type and COVID-19 risk. 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. eCollection 2023. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Since hemoglobin levels already run low for many people with thalassemia, the combination of factors has raised some concerns. Still, the study authors wrote, "the impact of blood type on clinical outcomes remains unclear. An official website of the United States government. However, some limited evidence suggests that certain types of thalassemia may have some protective effect against COVID-19. 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. Some people with thalassemia have cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). doi:10.1002/ajh.25840, Farmakis D, Giakoumis A, Cannon L, et al. Can SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted via blood transfusions? The most important thing you can do is make sure you are vaccinated and stay up to date on when boosters are needed. However, certain issues, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, blood clots, and heart-related complications, should be monitored for. This blood disorder causes your body not to produce enough hemoglobin. What is the treatment for beta thalassemia? (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 . In fact, some people prefer being able to communicate with their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own home. Beta-thalassemia causes symptoms related to anemia, including weak or brittle bones, and leads to problems with how your bones develop. (2020). Alpha thalassemia. Key areas covered include patients' risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations. This condition can cause abrupt changes in blood pressure or heart rate that may worsen a person's condition during a COVID-19 infection. EHA and TIF Explore How COVID-19 Is Affecting Thalassemia and SCD Patients. (2023). If you have potential symptoms of beta thalassemia, a doctor may order a blood test to look for signs of the disease. 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. There are two types of thalassemia, alpha and beta. A person with beta thalassemia minor . If you have concerns, speak with a doctor or healthcare professional about your individual risks. 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. People who are moderate to severely immunocompromised may need additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to stay protected. Blood and Bone Marrow Genetic Disorders. It can cause life threatening heart conditions, such as stroke. Blood transfusions are a mainstay of treatment for some people with 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 . Lansiaux E, et al. Other types of thalassemia cause more severe symptoms that can be found earlier in life, usually before a child is . "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. Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Anecdotal reports are surfacing that some people are developing tinnitus days after receiving one of the COVID vaccines. It causes mild to severe respiratory illness with some flu-like symptoms. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Thalassemia Benefits. Newborn screening practices for beta-thalassemia in the United States. April 20, 2020. Genetic testing is the only way to confirm whether you carry the gene. Accessibility How do I know if I have thalassemia trait? 2020; 10.1002/ajh.25840 [Epub ahead of print]. Two recently published studies have found that people who recover from COVID-19 develop antibodies that may last almost a year. Although epidemiologic evidence concerning the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in these patients is currently lacking, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for . Vitamin and mineral supplementation may be recommended for some people with thalassemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beta thalassemia minor and SARS-CoV-2, prevalence, severity, morbidity and mortality: A systematic review study. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In some cases, the inherited mutation can cause the HBB gene to be absent. FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy to Treat Adult and Pediatric Patients with Beta-thalassemia Who Require Regular Blood Transfusions. Should people with thalassemia take vitamins and mineral supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic? Munkongdee T, et al. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Scientists use + to indicate a gene mutation that lowers production and 0 to indicate a mutation that causes the gene to be absent. 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. Respiratory failure may occur just as with people who do not have thalassemia. 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. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia trait. If the synthesis from both genes is severely reduced or absent, the person has . Objectives: Beta-thalassemia trait is less common. Several genes contribute to the production of hemoglobin. Your doctor can address any particular concerns you may have. Looking at a small sample group early on in the pandemic, the overall mortality rate of those with thalassemia from a COVID-19 infection was 18.6%, compared with a mortality rate of 4.71% in the general population. The site is secure. Learn more. You inherit two copies of this gene one from each parent. 2020;91(3):e2020026. 2020;6(9):FSO628. The information in this story is accurate as of press time. Blood tests can also be used for . Most cases are caused by a mutation in the HBB gene. (2022). As a result, our understanding of the connection to blood type continues to evolve. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists risk factors that have been identified for developing severe COVID-19, and blood type does not appear. Beta-Thalassemia Minor and SARS-CoV-2: Physiopathology, Prevalence, Severity, Morbidity, and Mortality. They also shouldnt get it if they have a known allergy to a component of the vaccine. A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. In that event, it's advisable that the therapy be stopped until the infection has cleared. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Eur J Haematol. When looking into thalassemia and COVID-19 risk, it's important to identify both the risk of potential exposure and susceptibility. Thalassemias. Acta Biomed. 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.