The NKC was established in 2013 after a National Institutes of Health (NIH) multidisciplinary workshop on neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) to address knowledge gaps highlighted at the workshop. The initial working group was composed of a neonatologists and pediatric nephrologist from 24 different international centers. The first mission of the NKC was to develop, organize and perform the AWAKEN (Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury) study. Given the success of the AWAKEN study, early in 2019 the NKC re-organized, expanded and now has the below organizational plans.
The vision of the NKC is to reduce the global burden of kidney disease by improving neonatal kidney health through the (1) promotion of high quality research that expands the boundaries of detection and management of kidney disease in vulnerable infants, (2) development and dissemination of best practice clinical guidelines, and (3) establishment of consultative and educational resources for practitioners, trainees, and families.
The NKC's mission is to improve the health of newborns with or at risk for kidney disease through multidisciplinary collaborative research, advocacy, and education.
The NKC promotes rigorous, collaborative research, strong mentorship with networking opportunities, and sustainability of the organization through collegiality, inclusiveness, transparency, efficiency and productivity.