Hematuria.
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.
Fitzwater
D S
DS
Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
Wyatt
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination