Introduction:
COVID-19 also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-COV2) is the novel virus that caused the latest pandemic in the
world. The most serious presentation of this virus was acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS) which has high mortality rate. Elderly patient
and those with multiple co-morbidities have been categorized as
high-risk group for developing serious complication from COVID-19
infection[1].
SCD is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies worldwide, it affects
the shape of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) which leads to several clinical
manifestations. Complications might be acute or chronic, the most
important and common acute complications are Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC)
and Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS)[2]. Respiratory infections are
considered an important trigger for ACS[3]. The impact of COVID-19
infection in SCD patients is still not clear and data is conflicting.
However, some experiences suggested low mortality and morbidity rate in
SCD patients with COVID-19 infection[4]. previously published
researches mentioned the overlap between COVID-19 pneumonia and
ACS[1] which we believed rises a challenge for physician, thus we
recommend that those patients should monitored closely as deterioration
in their clinical status was prescribed in multiple case reports[5].
The definitive management plan in this situation is not defined clearly
till now. Whether applying early red blood cells exchange can prevent
further deterioration is still a question that need to be answered.