What type of kidney injury is caused by sepsis?
John Thompson
Updated on January 23, 2026
Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) is a frequent complication of the critically ill patient and is associated with unacceptable morbidity and mortality. Prevention of S-AKI is difficult because by the time patients seek medical attention, most have already developed acute kidney injury.
How does sepsis cause kidney injury?
New evidence suggests that the inflammatory response during sepsis causes an adaptive response of the tubular epithelial cells. These alterations induce a downregulation of the cell function in order to minimize energy demand and to ensure cell survival. The result is reduced kidney function.Which type of kidney injury will most likely develop in presence of sepsis?
Severity of AKIAKI is often more acute and more severe in patients with sepsis compared with nonseptic AKI.