Kidney Function Following COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Importance: It remains unclear whether children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at heightened risk for long-term kidney complications.

Objective: To investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of postacute kidney outcomes among pediatric patients, including those with preexisting kidney disease or acute kidney injury (AKI).

Design, setting, and participants: This retrospective cohort study used data from 19 health institutions in the National Institutes of Health Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) initiative from March 1, 2020, to May 1, 2023 (follow-up ≤2 years completed December 1, 2024; index date cutoff, December 1, 2022). Participants included children and adolescents (aged <21 years) with at least 1 baseline visit (24 months to 7 days before the index date) and at least 1 follow-up visit (28 to 179 days after the index date).

Exposures: SARS-CoV-2 infection, determined by positive laboratory test results (polymerase chain reaction, antigen, or serologic) or relevant clinical diagnoses. A comparison group included children with documented negative test results and no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Main outcomes and measures: Outcomes included new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2 or higher or CKD stage 3 or higher among those without preexisting CKD; composite kidney events (≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], eGFR ≤15 mL/min/1.73 m2, dialysis, transplant, or end-stage kidney disease diagnosis), and at least 30%, 40%, or 50% eGFR decline among those with preexisting CKD or acute-phase AKI. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with propensity score stratification.

Results: Among 1 900 146 pediatric patients (487 378 with and 1 412 768 without COVID-19), 969 937 (51.0%) were male, the mean (SD) age was 8.2 (6.2) years, and a range of comorbidities was represented. SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with higher risk of new-onset CKD stage 2 or higher (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.12-1.22) and CKD stage 3 or higher (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.13-1.62). In those with preexisting CKD, COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of composite kidney events (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.27) at 28 to 179 days. Children with acute-phase AKI had elevated HRs (1.29; 95% CI, 1.21-1.38) at 90 to 179 days for composite outcomes.

Conclusions and relevance: In this large US cohort study of children and adolescents, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher risk of adverse postacute kidney outcomes, particularly among those with preexisting CKD or AKI, suggesting the need for vigilant long-term monitoring.

Figure 1.. Flowchart of Study Cohort Selection of Patients for COVID-19–Positive and COVID-19–Negative Groups

AKI indicates acute kidney injury; CKD, chronic kidney disease; MISC, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; PASC, postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2; and RECOVER, Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery. ^aIncludes polymerase chain reaction, antigen, and serologic testing. ^bIndicates 24 months to 7 days before the index date. ^cIndicates 28 to 179 days after the index date.

Figure 2.. Adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) for Kidney Outcomes in COVID-19–Positive vs –Negative Patients by Phase

The kidney outcomes are defined for each subgroup of patients based on preexisting kidney function status (acute kidney injury [AKI] during acute phase of COVID-19 infection, chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage 2 or higher, and no AKI or CKD). eGFR indicates estimated glomerular filtration rate.