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Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing acute systemic disorders and multi-organ damage. β-thalassemia (β-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder leading to the development of anemia. β-T may lead to complications such as immunological disorders, iron overload, oxidative stress, and endocrinopathy. β-T and associated complications may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2, as inflammatory disturbances and oxidative stress disorders are linked with COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of the present review was to elucidate the potential link between β-T and COVID-19 regarding the underlying comorbidities. The present review showed that most of the β-T patients with COVID-19 revealed mild to moderate clinical features, and β-T may not be linked with Covid-19 severity. Though patients with transfusion-dependent β-T (TDT) develop less COVID-19 severity compared to non-transfusion-depend β-T(NTDT), preclinical and clinical studies are recommended in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consanguineous marriage is common among the South Asian heritage community in the UK. While conferring social and cultural benefits, consanguinity is associated with an increased risk of autosomal recessive disorders and an increase in childhood death and disability. We have previously developed a genetic service to address the needs of this community. We report the extension of this service to include community-based initiatives aimed at promoting understanding of genetic issues related to consanguinity and improving access to genetic services. Our approach was to develop integrated clinical, educational and community engagement initiatives that would be sustainable on a long-term basis. The service provided for South Asian families by a specialist genetic counsellor was extended, and a series of genetics education and awareness sessions were provided for a diverse range of frontline healthcare workers. Two community genetic outreach worker posts were established to facilitate the engagement of the local South Asian population with genetics. The education and awareness sessions helped address the lack of genetic knowledge among primary health care professionals and community workers. Engagement initiatives by the genetic outreach worker raised awareness of genetic issues in the South Asian community and families affected by autosomal recessive disorders. All three elements of the extended service generated positive feedback. A three-stranded approach to addressing the needs of consanguineous families affected by autosomal recessive disorders as recommended by the World Health Organisation is suggested to be an acceptable, effective and sustainable approach to delivery of service in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust (PCT) provides services to a substantial Asian population in which the practice of consanguineous marriage is common and there is a high incidence of autosomal recessive disorders. The aim was to provide and evaluate a genetic service accessible to consanguineous families from the South Asian community who had a child affected by an autosomal recessive disorder. Information on genetic risk was provided along with the offer of genetic testing for members of the extended family to identify gene carriers and facilitate informed reproductive choices. An Urdu-speaking health visitor was employed to establish a community-based, hospital-linked genetic service in conjunction with local paediatric and regional genetic services offered to parents who had an affected child and 71 of their relatives. The service was evaluated using a specifically designed questionnaire. There was a high uptake of the service (95% of index parents and 92% of relatives to whom it was offered) and a high uptake of carrier testing (94% of relatives to whom it was offered). Eight requests for prenatal diagnosis were made during the course of the service development. Many individuals stated they would consider genetic risk when making future marriage and reproductive plans. Input from a health care worker from the same ethnic background who provided information in their own language was highly valued. Family orientated genetic services for ethnic groups practicing consanguinity can be acceptable and effective when provided in a culturally appropriate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]