Idiopathic unilateral gross hematuria in the pediatric patient

Microscopic hematuria is not an uncommon finding in the pediatric population. Since gross hematuria elicits parental and physician concern, its presence may result in extensive investigation. Unilateral hematuria is an unusual feature of gross hematuria, particularly in the pediatric patient. Although a number of structural and pathologic entities have been described to account for the laterality, in the majority of instances no overt underlying process has been uncovered. Unilateral hematuria appears to be benign, idiopathic, and has a prognosis no different than other idiopathic hematurias in the pediatric age group.