What factors contribute to the development of acute kidney injury?

The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) can be significantly influenced by various factors, with medications and infections being primary contributors. Medications, particularly certain classes like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and diuretics can cause toxicity to the kidneys or disrupt their blood flow, leading to injury. Infections, especially those that result in sepsis, can induce a systemic inflammatory response that can compromise renal function through reduced blood flow and direct damage to kidney tissue.

While excessive hydration can sometimes help in preventing kidney injury (by promoting urine flow and dilution of nephrotoxic substances), it does not contribute to the development of AKI in the same way that medications and infections can. Increased physical activity, while beneficial overall, typically does not lead to AKI unless associated with extreme exertion that could cause rhabdomyolysis, and high protein intake, though needing to be monitored for certain kidney conditions, does not inherently lead to AKI in the general population. Thus, medications and infections stand out as significant and direct risk factors for the onset of acute kidney injury.