Close
23rd June 2023
AKI definitions
Acute kidney injury is the term used to describe a rapid deterioration in renal function, generally over a period of hours to days. It is a common feature amongst hospital inpatients and is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased length of stay and increased mortality. It is a clinical syndrome with a separate underlying cause – identifying and managing this precipitating disorder is key to management.
Staging of acute kidney injury
Recommendations from NICE and the UK Renal Association suggest the use of the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria:
| Stage | Serum creatinine | Urine output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.5–1.9 times baseline OR ≥0.3 mg/dl (≥26.5 mmol/l) increase |
<0.5 ml/kg/h for 6–12 hours |
| 2 | 2.0–2.9 times baseline | <0.5 ml/kg/h for ≥12 hours |
| 3 | 3.0 times baseline OR Increase in serum creatinine to ≥4.0 mg/dl (≥353.6 mmol/l) OR Initiation of renal replacement therapy OR, in patients <18 years, decrease in eGFR to <35 ml/min per 1.73 m² |
<0.3 ml/kg/h for ≥24 hours OR Anuria for ≥12 hours |
Complete Guide to Clinical Genetics ST3 Application and Recruitment (2027)
Written by Medibuddy. Last updated: October 2026. Clinical Genetics is
Complete Guide to Clinical Radiology ST3 Application and Recruitment (2027)
Recruitment paused: NHS England is not running Clinical Radiology ST3+ recru
Complete Guide to Paediatric Surgery ST3 Application and Recruitment in United Kingdom (2026)
Written by Medibuddy. Last updated: October 2026. If you’re planning
Take your subscriptions with you
Our mobile app allows you to access your interview and exam question banks wherever you are.
