Differential Diagnosis for Recurrent Hematuria
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Given the presence of +1 leukocyte esterase and recurrent hematuria, a UTI is a plausible cause. The symptoms and urinalysis results align with a possible infection in the urinary tract.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Kidney Stones: Recurrent episodes of hematuria could be indicative of kidney stones, which may cause intermittent bleeding into the urinary tract.
- Bladder or Kidney Trauma: Repeated episodes of hematuria might suggest trauma to the bladder or kidney, possibly from physical activity or other forms of injury.
- Prostate Issues (in males): Conditions like prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia could lead to hematuria, especially in older males.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Bladder Cancer: Although less common, bladder cancer is a critical diagnosis not to miss, as it can present with painless hematuria. Early detection is crucial for treatment outcomes.
- Kidney Cancer: Similar to bladder cancer, kidney cancer can cause hematuria and is a diagnosis that should not be overlooked due to its potential severity.
- Sickle Cell Disease or Trait: In patients with sickle cell disease or trait, hematuria can occur due to sickling in the kidney. This is particularly important in populations with a high prevalence of sickle cell disease.
Rare Diagnoses
- Alport Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting the type IV collagen in the kidneys, leading to hematuria, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities.
- Goodpasture Syndrome: An autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the kidneys and lungs, which can present with hematuria.
- Vasculitis (e.g., IgA Vasculitis): Inflammation of the blood vessels can lead to kidney involvement and hematuria, though this is less common.
- Tuberculosis of the Urinary Tract: Although rare in many parts of the world, tuberculosis can infect the urinary tract and cause hematuria among other symptoms.