May also be called: Blood in Urine
Hematuria (say: hee-ma-TUR-ee-uh) means there is blood in the urine (pee).
More to Know
Blood in the urine often comes from somewhere in the urinary
tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters (tube-like structures that
connect the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube that carries urine
from the bladder out of the body).
The blood may make the urine appear pink, red, or tea-colored. Other times, the
blood is invisible to the naked eye and is only seen when a urine sample is viewed
under a microscope. (This is called "microscopic hematuria.")
Common causes of blood in the urine include urinary
tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, irritation of the urethra, injuries, and
vigorous exercise. There are many less common causes, and sometimes blood appears
in the urine even though there is no underlying problem.
Keep in Mind
Hematuria is a common condition that requires medical attention. To determine the
cause of the hematuria, a doctor might order several tests, including urine
tests, blood tests, an ultrasound, a CT scan, or others. If a problem is found,
your doctor will either treat it or refer your child to a specialist.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical
experts.
