Clinical and histopathological features of asymptomaticpersistent microscopic hematuria in children

We analyzed the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of 106 children with persistent asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (PAMH) with or without mild proteinuria.

This was a retrospective study of 106 children who were referred to our clinics from 2000 to 2013 for evaluation of PAMH.

Among the 106 patients, 69 (65%) were female and 37 (35%) were male. The patients were divided into two groups: 101 patients with isolated microscopic hematuria (IMH) and 5 patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria and mild proteinuria (AMHP). Renal biopsy was performed in all 5 children with AHMP: 2 patients had hereditary nephropathy and 2 patients had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). One biopsy specimen revealed nonspecific findings. Renal biopsy was performed in 9 children with IMH: 4 patients had hereditary nephropathy and 5 patients had nonspecific findings. None of the patients received any specific treatment prior to renal biopsy. During the follow-up period, none of the patients developed impaired renal function. Among all the children, only one patient with AMHP developed hypertension and 2 patients with IMH developed proteinuria.

Long-term follow-up must be done carefully for isolated microscopic hematuria and renal biopsy should be performed in selected cases.