Cortical Necrosis of the Kidneys

Cortical necrosis happens when something interferes with blood flow to your kidneys

It's often caused by a severe health problem that causes a big drop in blood pressure

Cortical necrosis causes your kidneys to stop doing their job (kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more )

You urinate less, have dark urine, a fever, and pain in your lower back

Doctors treat the health problem causing cortical necrosis of the kidneys and may give you fluids and antibiotics

Premature detachment of the placenta Placental Abruption The placenta is an organ that grows on the inside, upper part of your uterus (womb) when you're pregnant It has many large blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients from you to the fetus ... read more

Bacterial infection of the bloodstream (sepsis Sepsis in Newborns Sepsis is a serious bodywide reaction to infection spread through the blood. Newborns with sepsis appear generally ill—they are listless, do not feed well, often have a gray color, and may have... read more )

Severe infection

Severe dehydration Dehydration Everyone needs water and electrolytes (minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that help with many body functions) to be healthy. Normally, your body automatically balances your level of water... read more

Shock Shock Shock is a medical emergency caused by your organs not getting enough blood and oxygen. It has nothing to do with the "shock" we feel when something scares or upsets us. When your body can't... read more

Complications from pregnancy, such as uterine bleeding Excessive Uterine Bleeding at Delivery Some bleeding after you deliver a baby is normal. More than 4 cups (more than 1000 mL) of blood loss after vaginal delivery is excessive uterine bleeding. The most common reason for too much... read more , infections after delivery Postpartum Bladder and Kidney Infections Postpartum refers to the time period after you have a baby. It's usually considered the first 6 weeks after delivery. Your kidneys are 2 bean-shaped organs that make urine. Your bladder is a... read more , and preeclampsia Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Preeclampsia is a certain type of high blood pressure that happens during pregnancy. The placenta (afterbirth) is the organ in your uterus (womb) that feeds the fetus (baby). Preeclampsia can... read more

Severe infection (sepsis Sepsis Sepsis is when germs (bacteria) get into your bloodstream and trigger a serious body-wide reaction. When sepsis is severe, one or more of your organs may shut down. For example, your kidneys... read more )

Severe blood loss from an injury or surgery

Pancreatitis Overview of Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a leaf-shaped organ about 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) long. It is surrounded by the lower edge of the stomach and the first... read more

Snakebite Snakebites Venomous snakes in the United States include pit vipers (rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths) and coral snakes. Severe envenomation can cause damage to the bitten extremity, bleeding... read more

Certain drugs or chemicals

Feeling weak and tired

Feeling sick to your stomach

Being less hungry than usual

Itching

Feeling sleepy or confused

Computed tomography angiography (CTA)—a type of CT scan that focuses on your major blood vessels

Dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids from the body, a process that is needed when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons... read more (a machine filters your blood when your kidneys aren't able to)

Kidney transplant Kidney Transplantation Kidney transplantation is the removal of a healthy kidney from a living or recently deceased person and then its transfer into a person with end-stage kidney failure. (See also Overview of Transplantation... read more