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.
The annual World Kidney Day (WKD) campaign for 2026 officially launched today, September 15. This year-long campaign will culminate in a global day of activities on Thursday March 12, 2026. The 2026 campaign carries the powerful message, “Kidney health for all: Caring for people, protecting the planet,” highlighting the vital link between kidney care and...
Trainee and senior registrars, consultants, and associate professors participated in the course ISN Educational Ambassador Saeed Ahmed* recently visited the Khan Research Laboratory Hospital (KRL) in Islamabad, Pakistan, to deliver a comprehensive point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) course for nephrologists with participants from several different institutions and specialties within the country. Professor Ahmed presents at the training...
The ISN Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) develops leadership potential to drive change in global kidney health. Since its launch, it has become a catalyst for early-career nephrologists and researchers to champion advocacy, expand research, and foster innovation in kidney care worldwide. Hurry – apply for the ISN Emerging Leaders Program by September 15! Here are some...
The ISN Foundation Fellowship Course* has recently been updated to better support early-career nephrologists. The course offers a solid grounding in clinical nephrology. The modules can be completed separately and include the following topics: Acute kidney injury Glomerular diseases Dialysis modalities and conservative kidney care management Chronic kidney disease Electrolytes and acid-base disorders Kidney transplantation Hosted at the ISN Academy, it...
Dr. Devarajan (wearing a suit) with the SAT Team at the National Pediatric Nephrology Conclave 2022, supported by the ISN An ISN Sister Renal Centers (SRC) collaboration between Sree Avittam Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Kerala, India, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), USA, has played a transformative role in developing pediatric nephrology services at...
From global policy tools to community-driven projects and early-career development, ISN's research initiatives offer meaningful opportunities for all professionals committed to advancing kidney care. Whether you're just starting out or looking to broaden your impact, you can grow, collaborate, and drive real impact through ISN-supported research activities. We invited several contributors to share what...
The ISN invites renal pathologists, nephrologists and trainees from lower-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries to apply for an ISN Renal Pathology Bursary available for several key educational events in 2026. These bursaries aim to enhance diagnostic expertise, facilitating the early detection of kidney diseases and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Please read the guidelines carefully and submit...
The ISN invites all to participate in the “KDIGO Global Survey on the Utilization and Implementation of KDIGO Guidelines.” Take the survey The survey aims to understand how KDIGO Guidelines are applied in daily practice and where challenges or gaps remain. Your insights will help tailor future guidance to better meet the needs of kidney health...
From the USA to Oceania and Southeast Asia and Latin America, ISN leaders are spotlighting global kidney health throughout July and August. Whether sharing the latest research, building partnerships, or amplifying regional voices, these engagements help elevate the global conversation on equitable kidney care. Where to find the ISN this July and August The Columbia Renal...
Building on a strong foundation of collaboration and training in East Africa, including the establishment of an ISN Regional Training Center in Kenya, the ISN is proud to partner on a promising new pilot project aimed at strengthening kidney care capacity in the region. The long-term vision is for this pilot to serve as...
Why do millions of people worldwide still face limited access to dialysis despite advances in kidney care? This urgent question was at the heart of the recent ISN-GKHA webinar: “Global variations in hemodialysis access and outcomes – insights for improving kidney care worldwide,” based on two extensive global studies informed by 2023 ISN-Global Kidney Health...
The ISN Pregnancy and Disease Toolkit has been expanded with three new modules to support clinicians managing complex cases in this critical area: Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury Postpartum follow-up and care Management of pregnancy hypertension and preeclampsia These evidence-based resources are ideal for personal learning or teaching others and aim to improve outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide. Access...
SEN members during a kidney care campaign We caught up with Darío Jiménez Acosta, President of the Ecuadorian Society of Nephrology (SEN), to learn how SEN is advancing kidney care locally and strengthening global ties through the ISN as a Collective-member society. Tell us about SEN and its origins SEN has been active since 1990, organizing national...
By nominating an outstanding peer, you’re recognizing their achievements and helping to drive progress and elevate the global standard of care for people living with kidney disease. Dr. Adeera Levin, recipient of the 2024 Jean Hamburger Award, captured the spirit of this work: “Knowing that you can help take better care of people and answer important...
Through robust data collection, international collaboration, and practical insights, the 2023 ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) continues to drive progress in kidney care worldwide. This essential resource maps the availability and quality of kidney health services globally, helping kidney care professionals shape policy, support advocacy, guide research priorities, and identify service gaps, all toward...
Advance your career, gain hands-on experience, and bring essential interventional nephrology skills back to your community with an ISN Interventional Nephrology (IN) Scholarship. Read the full guidelines and eligibility requirements These scholarships support early-career nephrologists from low-, lower-middle, or upper-middle-income countries with practical training through two courses: Foundation course (2–4 weeks): Focused on specific interventional procedures, with...
Ambitious early-career nephrologists from low-, lower-middle and upper-middle-income countries now have the chance to train at the renowned Royal London Hospital through a newly established fellowship — the Muhammad Magdi Yaqoob Fellowship. Launched in partnership with the ISN to honor Professor Yaqoob's lifetime commitment to global kidney care and education, this fellowship aims to build...
As part of the goals of the ASN-ERA-ISN Kidney Support Initiative, the ISN has partnered with Direct Relief, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and the European Renal Association (ERA) to launch the Global Humanitarian Kidney Support Initiative. The initiative aims to strengthen preparedness and coordination for kidney care in crisis settings, combining global...
The ISN strongly supports the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) resolution, “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through the promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease.” Led by Guatemala, this milestone resolution will be presented for a vote at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), taking place in Geneva from...
Results from a survey led by Cédric Rafat and members of the ISN Western Europe Regional Board (WERB) have been published in the Journal of Nephrology. The survey, developed and disseminated with support from the European Renal Association's Young Nephrologists' Platform, gathered responses from 378 nephrologists in 29 countries. Read “Kidney failure care for migrants:...
