Acute Kidney Injury in Children
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
Scott M Sutherland1, David M Kwiatkowski1
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
Insights
Pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly common in hospitalized children. Improved definitions and diagnostics, including urinary biomarkers, enhance understanding, but effective treatments remain elusive.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nephrology
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in hospitalized children.
- Recent advancements have improved understanding of pediatric AKI epidemiology, incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current understanding of pediatric acute kidney injury.
- To highlight advancements in AKI diagnosis and its associated adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on pediatric AKI.
- Analysis of diagnostic strategies beyond serum creatinine.
- Inclusion of oliguria and urinary biomarkers in diagnostic considerations.
Main Results:
- Pediatric AKI is associated with longer hospital stays and increased mortality.
- Diagnostic approaches have evolved, emphasizing oliguria and urinary biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- While diagnostic and definitional progress in pediatric AKI is significant, effective treatments are still needed.
- Future research should focus on developing and testing interventions for AKI in children.
Abstract:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has become one of the more common complications seen among hospitalized children. The development of a consensus definition has helped refine the epidemiology of pediatric AKI, and we now have a far better understanding of its incidence, risk factors, and outcomes. Strategies for diagnosing AKI have extended beyond serum creatinine, and the most current data underscore the diagnostic importance of oliguria as well as introduce the concept of urinary biomarkers of kidney injury. As AKI has become more widespread, we have seen that it is associated with a number of adverse consequences including longer lengths of stay and greater mortality. Though effective treatments do not currently exist for AKI once it develops, we hope that the diagnostic and definitional strides seen recently translate to the testing and development of more effective interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management

