1
Department of Medical Sciences, Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
2
Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Comprehensive Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Background: Although COVID-19 is primarily considered a respiratory infection, accumulating evidence indicates that the kidneys may also be vulnerable to injury, particularly in pediatric patients. Renal dysfunction in children with COVID-19 is often overlooked but may carry important long-term consequences. This study aimed to evaluate kidney function abnormalities in hospitalized children with confirmed COVID-19. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 191 children with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran, were evaluated. Key renal function indicators, including serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urinalysis findings, were extracted and compared across age groups and disease severity categories. Results: Abnormal serum creatinine was observed in 13.1% (25/191) of children, with significantly higher prevalence among children aged ≤3 years (26.1%, 24/92, p < 0.001). Among the 111 patients with documented disease severity, abnormal creatinine was more common in non-severe cases (25.3%, 24/95) than in severe/critical cases (6.3%, 1/16), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.092). Conclusion: Renal abnormalities are common in hospitalized children with COVID-19, even in non-severe cases. These findings highlight the importance of routine kidney function assessment in pediatric COVID-19 patients to enable early detection and appropriate management, potentially preventing long-term renal sequelae.
Shajari, A., Zareahmadabadi, A., & Karimi, M. (2026). Kidney Function Abnormalities in Hospitalized Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Center in Iran. (e535). Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care, (), e535
MLA
Shajari, A., Zareahmadabadi, A., & Karimi, M. "Kidney Function Abnormalities in Hospitalized Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Center in Iran" .e535 , Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care, , 2026, e535.
HARVARD
Shajari A., Zareahmadabadi A., Karimi M. (2026). 'Kidney Function Abnormalities in Hospitalized Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Center in Iran', Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care, (), e535.
CHICAGO
A. Shajari, A. Zareahmadabadi & M. Karimi, "Kidney Function Abnormalities in Hospitalized Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Center in Iran," Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care, (2026): e535,
VANCOUVER
Shajari A., Zareahmadabadi A., Karimi M. Kidney Function Abnormalities in Hospitalized Children with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Center in Iran. J Integr Matern Pediatr Care. 2026;():e535.
Journal of Integrated Maternal and Pediatric Care