Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Management of Hemoglobin Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sanjana Fatema Chowdhury1, Saeed Anwar2
1Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Insights
Patients with hemoglobin disorders are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications. This review covers essential management strategies and recommendations for individuals with sickle cell anemia and thalassemia during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global health concern.
- Patients with hemoglobin disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, are vulnerable due to potential complications and increased infection risk.
- Some patients with hemoglobin disorders may have immunocompromised conditions, requiring specific preventive measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review management strategies for patients with hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To provide crucial recommendations for safeguarding vulnerable individuals with these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current management protocols and guidelines.
- Analysis of clinical implications for patients with hemoglobin disorders in the context of COVID-19.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin disorder patients face heightened risks from COVID-19, including severe illness and complications.
- Preventive measures like shielding and adherence to general pandemic guidelines are critical.
- Transfusion-dependent patients need careful monitoring for iron overload, with potential adjustments to chelation therapy.
Conclusions:
- Proactive management and adherence to specific recommendations are vital for mitigating COVID-19 risks in individuals with hemoglobin disorders.
- Physicians should tailor treatment plans, considering factors like iron overload and immunocompromised status.
- Further research may be needed to fully understand SARS-CoV-2 interactions with blood cells and long-term impacts on this population.
Abstract:
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. It causes mild to severe respiratory illness with some flu-like symptoms. The causal virus behind this disease, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), conceivably attacks the receptors of the respiratory system of the human body but has no strict evidence of attacking the blood cells yet. However, patients with hemoglobin disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia, thalassemia) are vulnerable to this global health situation due to their clinical complications. Such patients are generally more prone to viral and bacterial infections, which can worsen their physical condition. Some of these patients present immunocompromised conditions, e.g., splenectomized or post-transplant patients. Therefore, they should follow some preventive steps such as shielding as well as the general guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic. Transfusion dependent patients require regular monitoring for iron overload, and iron chelation therapy may be stopped by the physician depending on the situation. This article reviews the management strategies and provides some crucial recommendations for people in the corner with hemoglobin disorders.
More Related Videos
05:23Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
08:23Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:24Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:19Rh Blood Group
01:15Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...