Figure 2. Development as a Biologic Variable Related to Acute Kidney Injury.

The left slope highlights important developmental stages critical to reach optimal kidney function. The right slope represents the normal age-related decrease of kidney function. Acute kidney injury (AKI) can occur at any phase along the developmental trajectory resulting in early kidney compromise and potentially accelerated nephron loss. The timing and degree of AKI likely affect the trajectory to recovery of normal kidney function or persistently decreased function. Research efforts must focus on uncovering and capitalizing on the ways to improve the outlook of an injured kidney. These efforts may include optimization of nutrition, limiting further injury, and novel therapeutics. There are factors that accelerate nephron loss and the trajectory toward kidney failure. The social determinants of health, the types or clusters of AKI, sex as a biologic variable, nutritional factors, and medication dosing are all components that affect the recovery or decrease of kidney function after AKI. Adapted from the 26th Acute Disease Quality Initiative³¹ with permission. These are open access images distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.