Background Various types of pulmonary diseases are associated with iron deficiency. However, information on iron status in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is scarce. Methods This study included 50 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19. The role of serum iron in predicting severity and mortality of COVID-19 was evaluated. Results The most common symptoms of COVID-19 patients in this study were cough (82%), fever (64%), and chest distress (42%). Of the 50 patients, 45 (90%) patients had abnormally low serum iron levels ( Serum iron deficiency occurs in COVID-19. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 who died during hospitalization had significantly lower serum iron levels compared with those survivors. Decreased serum iron level can predict the transition of mild to critical COVID-19.
