BENIGN FAMILIAL HEMATURIA

What is benign familial hematuria?

“Benign” is a medical word for harmless. “Familial” means it runs in families and “hematuria” is a medical word for
blood in the urine. The blood may be seen with a microscope or with the naked eye. It is also called “Thin
Basement Membrane Disease”.

How is benign familial hematuria diagnosed?

The urine of one or both biological parents of a child who has microscopic hematuria will be checked for blood. If
either of their urine tests is positive for blood, this condition will be suspected.

Questions about family members, kidney ultrasound and blood tests are done to look for other causes of blood in
the urine. If protein is found in the urine, a kidney biopsy is sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule
out a chronic kidney disease.

What causes benign familial hematuria?

Thin lining of the kidney filters causes this condition also know as “Thin Basement Membrane Disease”

How is it treated?

There is no treatment for this condition, and no treatment is needed (is a “benign” condition).

Does benign familial hematuria mean my child will need a kidney transplant?

No.

What is the long-term outlook for my child?

Very good. However depending on the amount of blood and protein in the urine, you doctor might request yearly
urine and blood tests. Your child can participate in sport activities with no restrictions.

You can seek more information from our Family resource canter on the 2nd Floor of the Taggart Pavilion or from the
following websites: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

BENIGN FAMILIAL HEMATURIA

The Children’s Medical Center Abiodun Omoloja, M.D. Leonardo M. Canessa, M.D.
Nephrology Department Pediatric Nephrology Medical Director
Phone: 937-641-3304 One Children’s Plaza, Dayton, Ohio 45404
Fax: 937-641-5091 e-mail: nephrology@childrensdayton.org