Real-time national survey of COVID-19 in hemoglobinopathy and rare inherited anemia patients

Abstract

Faced with the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020 the UK Government advocated strict self-isolation ('shielding') to protect extremely vulnerable patient groups deemed at high risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. 1 These included children and adults with sickle cell anemia (HbSS). On the advice of the National Hemoglobinopathy Panel (NHP), a multidisciplinary expert advisory group, shielding guidance was extended to all sickle cell disease (SCD) sub-types. Patients with transfusion dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) and other rare inherited anemias were also advised to shield if considered at high risk based on agreed clinical criteria. These included severe iron overload, splenectomy, diabetes and cardiac disease. 2 Data provided by two participating centers with the largest thalassemia cohorts indicate up to 30% of patients meet these criteria.