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.