Objetive: Determining the risk factors associated with acute renal failure in neonates. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out, in 65 cases of acute renal failure and 65 without acute renal failure in the Intensive Care Unit Neonatals (NICU) of a hospital in Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico. The variables studied; prematurity, low weight, type I respiratory distress syndrome, perinatal asphyxia, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, administration of vancomycin, amikacin, amphotericin, cefotaxime and water restriction. The information was collected from the data of the clinical records and the analysis was carried out in the Epi-info software. The statistical analysis, it was performed using non-parametric tests such as Chi2 and Fisher's Exact Test. Results: Denote underweight with an OR 2, 95% CI. from 1.1 to 3.3 and <P 0.05 by Chi2 and Fisher's exact test. For; perinatal asphyxia with OR 2.1, 95% CI. from 1.3 to 3.4 and <P 0.05 through Chi2 and Fisher's exact test. For vancomycin administration OR 4.7, 95% CI. From 2.3 to 9.3 and <P 0.05 by Chi2 and Fisher's exact test. For water restriction OR 2, 95% CI. From 1.2 to 3.3 and <P 0.05 by Chi2 and Fisher's exact test. Conclusion: A significant association was found between acute renal failure with low weight, perinatal asphyxia, administration of vancomycin and water restriction.