KDIGO Publishes 2026 Draft Kidney Injury Guideline

New framework emphasizes early detection and biomarker-enabled diagnosis of acute kidney disorders.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray-style image showing the complex internal structure of a human kidney, with glowing blue and gray lines representing the organ's intricate network of vessels and tissues.The KDIGO's updated guidelines on acute kidney injury and disease highlight the critical role of advanced biomarker testing in enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention.Boston Today

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization has published a draft of its updated 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Acute Kidney Disease (AKD). The new guideline recognizes AKI and AKD as part of a continuum and emphasizes the importance of earlier, more precise diagnosis using both functional measures and structural biomarkers like NGAL.

Why it matters

The updated KDIGO framework represents a major advancement in the global approach to acute kidney disorders, affirming the shift toward earlier identification and intervention. This is expected to lead to better patient outcomes by enabling clinicians to more rapidly detect kidney injury risk and implement tailored management strategies.

The details

The 2026 KDIGO guideline draft highlights substantial progress in early detection, risk prediction, and biomarker-enabled diagnosis of acute kidney injury. It underscores the need for improved clinical decision support tools, enhanced risk stratification, and updated recommendations covering fluid management, nephrotoxin stewardship, and follow-up care to mitigate long-term adverse outcomes.

  • KDIGO published the 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline Draft for AKI and AKD on March 31, 2026.
  • The draft guideline is open for public review and feedback through April 27, 2026.

The players

KDIGO

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes organization, which publishes clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and management of kidney diseases.

Carsten Buhl

The CEO of BioPorto A/S, a diagnostics company that develops biomarker-based tests, including NGAL tests for acute kidney injury.

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What they’re saying

“KDIGO's updated framework affirms the global shift toward earlier identification and intervention in acute kidney disorders.”

— Carsten Buhl, CEO, BioPorto A/S

What’s next

KDIGO is inviting feedback from clinicians, researchers, and stakeholders worldwide on the draft guideline through April 27, 2026.

The takeaway

The new KDIGO guideline represents a significant advancement in the approach to acute kidney disorders, emphasizing the importance of early detection and biomarker-enabled diagnosis to enable more timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.