The KDIGO 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) provides updated, evidence-based recommendations and practice points to support the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of anemia in adults and children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including individuals treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation. This guideline updates the KDIGO 2012 Anemia in CKD Guideline and reflects more than a decade of new evidence in anemia pathophysiology and treatment. The guideline was co-chaired by Jodie Babitt, MD (United States), and Marcello Tonelli, MD, SM, MSc, FRCPC (Canada).
Anemia is a common and burdensome complication of CKD, associated with reduced quality of life, increased cardiovascular risk, and a greater reliance on red blood cell transfusions. The updated guideline reflects advances in the understanding of anemia pathophysiology and treatment, and offers practical guidance across the full spectrum of CKD stages and care settings.
The KDIGO 2026 Anemia in CKD Guideline was developed using a rigorous and transparent methodology, including systematic reviews of the evidence and formal assessment of certainty using the GRADE approach. In addition to graded recommendations, the guideline includes population-based treatment algorithms and practice points designed to support consistent, evidence-informed anemia care across diverse healthcare systems, resource settings, and patient populations worldwide.
Read the KDIGO Anemia in CKD Guideline publication news release.
2012 ANEMIA IN CKD GUIDELINE & RESOURCES
KDIGO 2012 ANEMIA IN CKD GUIDELINE AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
KDIGO 2012 Anemia in CKD Guideline
KDIGO 2012 Anemia in CKD Guideline Appendices
KDIGO 2012 Anemia in CKD Guideline Supplementary Tables
2012 VISUAL GUIDELINE
KDIGO 2012 Anemia Guideline At-A-Glance
Complete visual guideline recommendations to assist decision-making
2012 COMMENTARIES
Canadian Society of Nephrology
Commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in CKD
KDOQI
US Commentary on the 2012 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in CKD
KHA-CARI
International treatment guidelines for anaemia in chronic kidney disease — what has changed? (2012)
2012 TRANSLATIONS
Chinese (Mandarin)
Japanese
Russian (Full Text)
Клинические практические рекомендации KDIGO по анемии при хронической болезни почек 2012
DISCLAIMER: USE OF THE CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES
This Clinical Practice Guideline is based upon the best information available at the time of publication. The recommendations are designed to provide information and assist decision-making. They are not intended to define a standard of care, and should not be construed as one. Neither should they be interpreted as prescribing an exclusive course of management. Variations in practice will inevitably and appropriately occur when clinicians take into account the needs of individual patients, available resources, and limitations unique to an institution or type of practice. Every health care professional making use of this Guideline is responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of applying them in the setting of any particular clinical situation. The recommendations for research contained within this document are general and do not imply a specific protocol.
