hematuria
Pronunciation: hee-mah-TOO-ree-ah
Presence of blood in urine, which may be visible (gross) or microscopic, indicating possible kidney or urinary tract pathology.
Full Definition
Hematuria refers to the presence of red blood cells in the urine and is classified as either gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic (detected only on urinalysis). In pediatric nephrology, hematuria can indicate various conditions ranging from benign causes like exercise-induced hematuria to serious conditions such as glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, or tumors. Persistent microscopic hematuria in children warrants investigation to rule out underlying kidney disease, particularly when accompanied by proteinuria or hypertension.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether gross or microscopic when documenting.
In Context
- "The child presented with gross hematuria and flank pain following a respiratory infection." — Emergency department note
- "Microscopic hematuria was detected on routine urinalysis during the school physical." — Primary care documentation