Microhematuria

An image taken from a microscope showing a sparse collection of red blood cells
Microscopic hematuria: Red blood cells in a urine sample seen under the microscope.

Microhematuria, also called microscopic hematuria (both usually abbreviated as MH), is a medical condition in which urine contains small amounts of blood; the blood quantity is too low to change the color of the urine (otherwise, it is known as gross hematuria). While not dangerous in itself, it may be a symptom of kidney disease, such as IgA nephropathy or sickle cell trait, or bladder pathology which should be monitored by a doctor.

The American Urological Association (AUA) recommends a definition of microscopic hematuria as three or more red blood cells per high-power microscopic field in urinary sediment from two of three properly collected urinalysis specimens.

Microhematuria is usually asymptomatic, and as of 2001 there were medical guidelines on how to handle asymptomatic microhematuria (AMH) so as to avoid problems such as overtreatment or misdiagnosis. In 2025, American Urological Association guidelines for microhematuria were updated.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sickle Cell trait and Hematuria: Information for healthcare providers" (PDF). cdc.gov. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 Grossfeld, G.; Wolf Jr, J.; Litwan, M.; Hricak, H.; Shuler, C.; Agerter, D.; Carroll, P. (March 15, 2001). "Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in adults: Summary of the AUA best practice policy recommendations". American Family Physician. 63 (6): 1145–1154. PMID 11277551.
  3. ↑ "Microhematuria: AUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)". www.auanet.org. 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-06.