COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters the host cells through attachment to the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 receptors (ACE-2) on the host cells. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 is known to affect renal functions, vasoconstriction and fluid homeostasis. Thus, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on renal function parameters is worth investigating. Plasma obtained from whole blood samples collected from consecutive and newly diagnosed two hundred and two COVID-19 patients admitted for management at the Infectious Disease Center, Olodo in Ibadan the capital of Oyo State, South Western Nigeria were analysed for albumin, urea, creatinine, Na, K, Cl and HCO3 using auto analysers. The results obtained were used to determine the frequency of COVID-19 patients with abnornal renal function parameters. It was observed that 57.1%, 37.8%, 32.7%, 28.1%, 18.7%, 17.8% and 3.4% of newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients had values of Cl, creatinine, albumin, Na, K, HCO3 and urea respectively outside the reference ranges. While 43.3%, 4.7%, 2.5%, 2.5%, 2.0%, 1.7% and 1.0% of COVID-19 patients had values of Cl, creatinine, Na, K, albumin, Urea and HCO3 respectively above the reference ranges. Of all admitted patients, 33.1%, 30.7%, 25.6%, 16.8%, 16.3%, 13.8% and 1.7% had creatinine, albumin, Na, HCO3, K, Cl and urea values respectively below reference ranges. The changes in some renal function parameters of newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients portend that renal failure is possible in poorly managed COVID-19 patients and this has immunopathologic implications.
