What is the outcome of acute renal failure if left untreated?

In the context of acute renal failure, also known as acute kidney injury (AKI), if the condition is left untreated, it can lead to the progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Acute renal failure can result from various causes including prerenal, intrinsic renal, and postrenal issues, and if the underlying cause is not addressed, it can result in irreversible damage to the kidney tissue.

This progression occurs because prolonged or severe injury to the nephrons—functional units of the kidney—can impair their ability to recover and regenerate. The kidneys may not fully return to their previous level of function if the acute phase is severe or if the duration of the injury is extended. Thus, without appropriate intervention, the acute damage may lead to sustained functional impairment, culminating in chronic kidney disease.

While severe fluid retention is a possible symptom of acute renal failure, it is not an outcome in itself but rather a consequence of the kidneys' reduced filtering ability. Return to normal function may occur in some cases of mild or early acute renal failure with appropriate treatment, but this is conditional and not guaranteed. Permanent kidney damage is also a risk but is not as directly linked to the concept of progression to chronic kidney disease, which encompasses a broader potential for