Hematuria

Pediatr Rev. 1994 Mar;15(3):102-8; quiz 109. doi: 10.1542/pir.15-3-102.

Abstract

Hematuria occurs in approximately 1.5% of children. It is important in evaluating the patient who has hematuria to make sure that a positive dipstick test is accompanied by RBCs on the microscopic examination. Hematuria is defined by several parameters, the most common of which are 6 cells/cc of urine in a counting chamber or 2 cells per high-power field in a urinary sediment. Although the differential diagnosis for hematuria is extensive, the most important differentiating feature is the presence or absence of proteinuria. Those who have significant proteinuria deserve a rapid evaluation and early referral to a nephrologist. Those who do not have proteinuria should be followed and a step-wise evaluation performed. Finally, most patients who have asymptomatic microscopic hematuria do not have clinically significant glomerular pathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine
  • Female
  • Hematuria / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Physical Examination