Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden onset of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or days.
AKI causes a build-up of waste products in the blood making it hard for the kidneys to keep the right balance of fluid in the body.
AKI can affect other organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Acute kidney injury is common in older patients and who are in intensive care units.
In Japan, the art of kintsugi repairs broken pottery with adhesive and powdered gold, transforming fracture into renewed strength. As the global kidney care community prepares to gather in Yokohama for WCN’26, Japan’s approach to kidney health offers a compelling parallel: working with impairment to preserve function, extending quality of life in an aging society, and continuously strengthening systems of care through early detection and...
From Africa to East Asia, ISN leaders are engaging with regional kidney care communities this March, sharing expertise, training opportunities, and strengthening connections that help advance equitable kidney care worldwide. Ethiopian Kidney Association’s 2nd Annual Nephrology Conference March 7, 2026 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Robert Walker, chair of the ISN Core Programs Committee, will present virtually on ISN Grants, outlining pathways for ISN members to access support and build local capacity. Japan Kidney Masterclass March 7, 2026 Tokyo, Japan Hosted by the Japanese Society of Nephrology, the masterclass will...
Virtual registration brings the World Congress of Nephrology 2026 straight to you, no matter where you are. As a virtual delegate, you get access to live streaming of all 13 sessions in the Main Hall (Plenary Hall) from March 28–31, with live transcriptions in Japanese and English and more than 50 other languages. You will also have access to over 100 hours of...
For many nephrologists, an ISN Fellowship is more than advanced training; it is a turning point in what becomes possible for patients and kidney care teams back home. “The ISN Fellowship program represented a pivotal moment in my professional journey,” reflects Christina Amira (Nigeria), ISN Fellow from 2003–2004. “Upon returning to my home country, I successfully established a...
What does it take to move from policy commitments to real improvements in kidney care, and how can those lessons be applied across regions? On March 28, 2026*, the Professor Donal O'Donoghue Global Kidney Policy Forum (PDOGKPF) will bring together policymakers, clinical leaders, and advocates to explore practical ways to strengthen kidney care systems in the ISN North and East Asia region, focusing on approaches that translate into measurable progress for patients. Held at the WCN'26 in...
Early detection of kidney disease is critical to preventing complications and improving outcomes. Yet, in many settings, non-physician healthcare professionals are the first and sometimes only point of contact for at-risk populations. A new ISN Academy curriculum, Empowering Non-Physician Healthcare Workers: Early Kidney Disease Detection and Care, aims to strengthen frontline kidney care by equipping non-physician healthcare professionals with practical, accessible...
Across the kidney care community, there are individuals whose work consistently sets standards — advancing research, strengthening education, and leading clinical innovation. These are people whose expertise is trusted, whose leadership shapes practice, and whose contributions extend well beyond their own institutions. Formal recognition does not always keep pace with the scale or reach of this...
A recent Kidney International® editorial showcases the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) Interactive Map, an open-access tool that enables clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to identify gaps and target areas where kidney care improvements are most needed. Read the full paper in Kidney International® Consolidating data from the 2019 and 2023 ISN-GKHA surveys, the map: Compares kidney care capacity between countries and regions Tracks trends and measures progress over time Visualizes key indicators like workforce, infrastructure, and policies Provides evidence to guide research, advocacy, and policy initiatives Explore...
Visual featured in the KIR editorial on its 10th anniversary To mark 10 years of the ISN Journal Kidney International Reports® (KIR), we spoke with Editor-in-Chief Jai Radhakrishnan and Deputy Editor Sumit Mohan about the journal’s origins, defining moments, and how its mission has evolved over the past decade. Explore all ISN Journals Creating a home for...
Delegates and faculty at the ISN Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases in Taipei, Taiwan The latest edition of the ISN Primer Course in Glomerular Diseases took place in Taipei, Taiwan, as a pre-congress course at the 23rd Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Taiwan Society of Nephrology, bringing together 99 delegates from 15 countries, along with faculty and representatives from supporting partners. The course provided clinicians with up-to-date guidance on diagnosing, interpreting, and managing the...
The ISN congratulates four kidney care centers in ISN’s Oceania and South-East Asia (OSEA) region that have earned ISN Regional Training Center (RTC) status: Thailand: Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University Philippines: National Kidney and Transplant Institute Malaysia: Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban Fiji: Colonial War Memorial Hospital These centers now serve as regional hubs where ISN Grants intersect, providing nephrologists with opportunities to access training, mentorship, and global networks that ultimately...
Across the ISN’s research groups and committees, this year has been defined by one theme: Turning global collaboration into real-world impact. From uncovering the drivers of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) to strengthening renal registries and shaping the next wave of clinical trials, these groups have been steadily building momentum — work...
This year, the ISN Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program continued to bring kidney care education closer to the professionals who need it most. From regional conferences to hands-on workshops, the program supported nine events in 2025, each confirming the same story: When nephrologists gain practical, context-driven skills, their confidence grows — and that confidence...
Kidney care challenges vary from region to region, but the drive to find solutions is universal. WCN'26 joint sessions bring together global partners to present diverse experiences and practical insights to advance best practices in kidney care and improve patient outcomes, no matter where they live. Explore WCN’26 joint sessions Discover a selection of standout sessions...
Across all 10 ISN regions, hundreds of early-career nephrologists have chosen the ISN as their global professional home. ISN Trainee memberships offer one year of free membership followed by three years at a reduced price so that early-career kidney care professionals globally can access career-building opportunities and a collaborative network of peers. Choose the membership option...
The ISN “Are Your Kidneys Healthy?” quiz is now available in Swahili! These quick and informative questions, offered in 32 languages, help individuals assess their risk of kidney disease and take proactive steps for kidney health. If you would like to contribute by translating the quiz into another language, please contact Romane at rblondel@theisn.org.
ISN leaders are spotlighting global kidney health in the Middle East in November and in North and East Asia, Western Europe, and South Asia throughout December, and celebrating two 2025 ISN Pioneer Award winners. By sharing research, building partnerships, and amplifying regional voices, these engagements help advance the global conversation on equitable kidney care. November 19th Congress of Asian Society of Transplantation (CAST 2025) November 26-29, 2025 Zahra, Kuwait November 28, Time TBD (Arabian Standard Time) A highlight...
Kidney International® APOL1 kidney disease: Conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference APOL1 genetic variants increase the risk of progressive chronic kidney disease among people of African ancestry. A 2024 KDIGO Controversies Conference reviewed current evidence and debated terminology, testing, and management approaches. Participants agreed on using the term “APOL1 kidney disease,” but found...
From improving transplant outcomes to advancing clinical nephrology in local hospitals, the latest ISN Fellows, Interventional Nephrology (IN) Scholars, and Clinical Research Program grantees are already poised to make a difference in their communities. Through hands-on training, education, and innovative research, these professionals will gain the skills to strengthen worldwide kidney care where it’s...
By bringing together experts from diverse regions and disciplines, the WCN’26 Scientific Program Working Group (SPWG) ensures that the World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) delivers scientific content that is of the highest quality and globally representative. We spoke with Sydney Tang, WCN’26 SPWG chair, to explore the many facets of next year’s scientific program,...
