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COVID-19 Pandemic and Thalassemia Major Patients: Transfusion Practice and Treatment Assessment.
Oymak, Yesim; Karapinar, Tuba H.
  • Oymak Y; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, SBU. Izmir Dr Behcet Uz Child Disease and Pediatric Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol ; 43(8): e1073-e1076, 2021 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-960645
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

When the COVID-19 epidemic occurred for the first time in December 2019, the governments worldwide took some restriction measures for slowing the spread of novel coronavirus. Eventually, there was a considerable decrease in volunteer blood donations. Regular transfusions and follow-up of patients with thalassemia major (TM) should be maintained during this period. It is possible that the treatment of the patients with TM may hinder due to the difficulty of reaching the treatment center and the difficulty of blood supply. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether there were any differences in the follow-up and treatment of the patients with TM during the outbreak. MATERIALS AND

METHODS:

Sixty-one patients with TM who were followed up in our center without COVID-19 contact history and symptoms were included in this study. The demographic features and red blood cell volume per kilogram they received, pretransfusion hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF) level, biochemical parameters, and transfusion interval were recorded. The difference between the arithmetic mean of the data before and during the pandemic was evaluated.

RESULTS:

In this study, 61 patients with TM (32 males/29 females, mean age 13.9±6.8 y) were evaluated. The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin value was 9.14±0.77 g/dL and 8.87± 0.80 g/dL before and during the pandemic, respectively (P=0.023). There was no difference between before and during the pandemic concerning transfusion interval and transfusion volume. However, SF levels increased above 1000 ng/mL in 16.6% of patients.

CONCLUSION:

Although blood donation decreased significantly during the pandemic, it was observed in this study that the blood needs of patients with TM could be provided. The results of the SF level showed that the management of chelation therapy should be more meticulous. However, we should be ready for the challenges in the transfusion practice of patients with TM due to fluctuations in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Blood Transfusion / Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Beta-Thalassemia / Continuity of Patient Care / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Health Services Accessibility Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid / Variants Limits: Adolescent / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Journal subject: Hematology / Neoplasms / Pediatrics Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: MPH.0000000000002016

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Blood Transfusion / Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Beta-Thalassemia / Continuity of Patient Care / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Health Services Accessibility Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid / Variants Limits: Adolescent / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Journal subject: Hematology / Neoplasms / Pediatrics Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: MPH.0000000000002016