Hematuria in childhood: A clinical dilemma

Abstract

prognosis, being essential to know its etiopathogenesis in the child to identify its cause early and establish adequate clinical and surgical treatment on some occasions. In childhood, its etiopathogenesis varies in type and frequency according to age, with urinary infection being the most frequent cause. As in all pathologies, it will be essential to prepare a detailed medical history and carry out a complete physical examination of the patient, which will provide us with a lot of information to guide the case. We must remember that before requesting more complex complementary tests, we must confirm that we are facing real hematuria, for which we first need to carry out three types of serial studies: observe the macroscopic appearance, perform a urine dipstick and request a systematic/urine sediment. Screening for kidney disease using a urine dipstick should be performed in patients with confirmed hematuria, suspected urinary tract infection, or diagnosed or at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Patient management and treatment must be multidisciplinary, involving professionals from the areas of primary and hospital care.