The patient with this condition presents with abrupt onset of gross hematuria, oliguria, anuria and subsequently, uremia. The pathology in the kidney is a bilateral, symmetrical, patchy to diffuse, ischemic, coagulative, cortical necrosis. The renal medulla and the subcapsular rim of cortical tissue are spared. The greatest incidence is in pregnant women but it also occurs not infrequently in infants and children, usually in association with diarrhea and dehydration. It is also seen in association with multiple fractures, internal hemorrhages, severe burns, infection, polyarteritis nodosa, incompatible blood transfusions and various intoxications. It has been said to be the cause of about one-fourth of the deaths in children due to major renal disease, and may represent the commonest single cause of renal insufficiency in infants. The present paper reviews the clinical manifestations, pathology and relevant experimental work.