Highlights of the Study• Renal function status of the children was assessed using urine albumin creatinine ratio and urine human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. • This study shows that kidney injury possibly begins early in childhood in sickle cell individuals and that albumin creatinine ratio is more sensitive than urine human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in assessing renal injury in this age group. • Findings of this study further emphasize the importance of periodic renal evaluations in sickle cell children, for early identification of those at risk of kidney injury.