Abstract

Aim: Hematuria is one of the most common clinical symptoms seen in childhood. Since it can be related to a serious renal problem, the awareness of the common clinical conditions associated with hematüria provides a better clinical approach by the clinicians. The aim of this study is to evaluate the etiology of hematuria seen in our clinic. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 530 consecutively investigated children with hematuria at the nephrology department of Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Hospital, İzmir. Children followed in our nephrology department in the last 10 years, have been evaluated respectively concerning the etiological bases of hematuria. Results: Glomerular and nonglomerular hematuria were detected in 58.49% and in 39.81% of 530 patients, respectively. Acute post - streptococcal glomerulonephritis (41.70%), urinary traetus infections (23.01%) and urinary calculi (11.88%)) were the most freguent reasons of hematuria in investigated 530 patients. The specific diagnosis was not found in 4 patients with a persistent microscopic hematuria, and in 5 patients with a recurrent macroscopic hematuria. All of the asymptomatic persistent microscopic hematuria patients showed excellent prognosis at the follow - up period of 4.63 ± 3.02 years. Conclusion: It is shown that the most prevalent etiology in children with hematuria are acute post - streptococcal glomerulonephritis, urinary tractus infections and urinary calculi and that these entities should be sought initially. Since patients with persistent microscopic hematuria had satisfactory prognosis and usually revealed normal renal hiopsy results, we conclude that these patients should be followed-up before a renal biopsy decision.