What Causes Sudden Kidney Injury? The sudden loss of kidney function is called acute kidney injury, also known as acute renal failure (ARF). ARF can occur following: A traumatic injury with blood loss The sudden reduction of blood flow to the kidneys Damage to the kidneys from shock during a severe infection called sepsis Obstruction of urine flow Damage from certain drugs or toxins Pregnancy complications, such as eclampsia and pre-eclampsia, or related HELLP Syndrome