key: cord-1019426-mbpiugiq authors: Mungmunpuntipantip, Rujittika; Wiwanitkit, Viroj title: Hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19 date: 2021-05-18 journal: Hematol Transfus Cell Ther DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2021.04.003 sha: 29bcf480cc8d1c8fb42705ce91f3793232c0d998 doc_id: 1019426 cord_uid: mbpiugiq nan This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. We would like to share ideas on the publication "Hemoglobinopathy and pediatrics in the time of COVID-19 [1] ." Vilela et al. concluded that, "Despite pediatric population with SCD needs more intensive care, the outcome after infection by COVID-19 is favorable [1] ." A previous report from Iran noted that patients with thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy had a possible susceptible nature to severe COVID-19 [2] . However, a report from Southeast Asia showed an opposite conclusion [3] . Based on the data from our setting, Indochina, where beta-thalassemia and hemoglobin E are very common, only a few cases (less than 5) among more than 20,000 local COVID-19 patients had associated hemoglobinopathy. This marked low incidence might confirm the hypothesis on COVID-19 resistance of patients with hemoglobinopathy. Additionally, all infected cases with underlying hemoglobinopathy usually have mild symptoms. The effect of standard iron chelation therapy in patients with hemoglobinopathy is a possible explanation for mild COVID-19 [4] . Pharmacologically, the iron chelating agent can suppress endothelial inflammation, which is the main pathophysiologic mechanism in COVID-19 [4] . Hemoglobinopathy and pediatrics in the time of COVID-19 COVID-19) Severity in Patients with Thalassemias: A Nationwide Iranian Experience A Southeast Asian Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Hemoglobin E (HbE)-Trait Confers Resistance Against COVID-19 Commentary: Could iron chelators prove to be useful as an adjunct to COVID-19 Treatment Regimens? Metabolism