A to Z: Hematuria (Blood in Urine)

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.