Benign Familial Hematuria

Definition

Definition of Benign Familial Hematuria
Benign familial hematuria, also known as thin-basement-membrane nephropathy, is a kidney disease that usually begins during childhood. The disorder is characterized by the presence of red blood cells in the urine (hematuria). The blood in the urine may be present in microscopic amounts (microscopic hematuria) and not visible to the eye, present in small amounts that give the urine a "cloudy" or "smoky" appearance, or easily visible. Many individuals with the disorder have abnormalities of the kidney's glomeruli, the clusters of small blood vessels (capillaries) that normally filter the blood passing through the kidneys (glomeruli filtration). In such cases, the membrane (basement membrane) supporting the loops of capillaries that make up the renal glomeruli may be abnormally thin. Benign familial hematuria may be inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Benign Familial Hematuria
The list of signs and symptoms for Benign familial hematuria listed below:

1. Blood in urine

Causes

Causes of Benign Familial Hematuria
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Benign familial hematuria that are listed by the Diseases Database:

1. Mitomycin C
2. Paraneoplastic syndrome
3. Daunorubicin
4. Escherichia coli
5. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
6. Clopidogrel
7. Schulman-Upshaw syndrome
8. HIV-1 disease
9. Factor H deficiency
10. Ticlopidine
11. Shigella dysenteriae

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Benign Familial Hematuria
These home medical tests may be relevant to Benign familial hematuria:

Bladder & Urinary Health: Home Testing

• Home Bladder Testing
• Home Urinary Tract Infection Tests
• Home Cystitis Tests

Treatment

Treatment of Benign Familial Hematuria
Most patients with thin basement membrane disease need only reassurance. Indeed, this disease was previously referred to as "benign familial hematuria" because of its usually benign course. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been suggested to reduce the episodes of hematuria, though controlled studies are lacking. Treating co-existing hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria will also be helpful in reducing hematuria.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Benign Familial Hematuria
Overall, most people with thin basement membrane disease have an excellent prognosis. Some reports, however, suggest that a minority might develop hypertension.

Prevention

Prevention of Benign Familial Hematuria
Consult with your doctor.