Differential Diagnosis for Hematuria 3+
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Given the high prevalence of UTIs and their common presentation with hematuria, this is often the first consideration. UTIs can cause inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract, leading to bleeding.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Kidney Stones: Stones in the urinary tract can cause obstruction and trauma to the urinary tract lining, resulting in hematuria. The severity of hematuria can vary with the size and location of the stones.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): In men, an enlarged prostate can cause urinary retention, leading to bladder irritation and potentially hematuria.
- Bladder Cancer: Although less common than other causes, bladder cancer should be considered, especially in older adults or those with risk factors such as smoking.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Trauma: Any form of trauma to the abdomen or back can cause injury to the kidneys or urinary tract, leading to hematuria. This is critical to identify as it may require immediate intervention.
- Sickle Cell Disease or Sickle Cell Trait: These conditions can cause sickling of red blood cells within the kidney, leading to ischemia and potentially hematuria.
- Bleeding Disorders: Conditions like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease can predispose to bleeding, including in the urinary tract.
- Vasculitis: Certain types of vasculitis, such as IgA nephropathy or ANCA-associated vasculitis, can affect the kidneys and cause hematuria.
Rare Diagnoses
- Alport Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting the type IV collagen in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease and potentially hematuria.
- Goodpasture Syndrome: An autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the kidneys and lungs, which can present with hematuria.
- Tuberculosis: Although rare in many parts of the world, genitourinary tuberculosis can cause chronic infection and hematuria.
- Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Rare vascular anomalies that can occur in the kidney or bladder, potentially causing hematuria due to abnormal blood vessel connections.