Frequency and clinical characteristics of kidney involvement in children with suspected COVID-19 infection: a single-center cross-sectional study
摘要
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is frequently complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Proteinuria, hematuria, and acute kidney injury (AKI) have been described as common clinical presentations of renal involvement in COVID-19 patients.
Aim of the workTo determine the frequency and clinical characterization of kidney involvement in children suspected to have Covid-19 infection.
MethodsThis is a cross -sectional study that included 120 patients who were suspicious for COVID-19 infection recruited from Pediatric Emergency Unit of our university hospital. We collected the following data from the admitted patients: Full clinical assessment, Laboratory investigations (complete blood picture by coulter counter, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus) and urine analysis), Imaging (CT chest if indicated), Covid-19 Real Time – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) nasopharyngeal swab.
Results18.3% of patients developed AKI, of which 41% (7.5% of patients) needed renal replacement therapy. Patients with AKI had higher incidence of vomiting and diarrhea (P = 0.043 and 0.011 respectively), and were significantly tachycardic (P = 0.018), and had higher incidence of respiratory distress (P = 0.001) with significantly higher incidence of need for respiratory support as well as inotropic support when compared with non-AKI patients (P = 0.003 and 0.001 respectively). Patients with AKI had lower platelets count (P < 0.001), higher CRP (P = 0.001), lower serum calcium level (P = 0.006) and higher serum phosphorus level (P = 0.001) when compared with non-AKI patients.
ConclusionCOVID-19 infection in hospitalized children was associated with acute kidney injury. Low platelet count, elevated CRP, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia were significantly associated with AKI. These laboratory abnormalities were associated with AKI but should not be interpreted as causative or predictive without longitudinal validation.