Health Library

Hematuria is blood in the pee. You may be able to see blood in the pee. In some cases, a health care provider may find blood with a test.

Blood in the pee can be caused by infections of the kidney, bladder, or the urethra. The urethra is the tube that drains pee from the bladder.

Other causes may include:

1. Kidney stones.
2. Cancer.
3. Too much calcium in the pee.
4. Conditions that are passed from parent to child.
5. Too much exercise.
6. Certain other infections, like strep throat.
7. High fever.

Infections can be treated with medicine. A kidney stone will usually pass in your child's pee. If infections or kidney stones didn't cause the blood in the urine, then more tests may be needed.

It is very important to tell your child's provider about any blood in your child's pee, even if your child has no pain or the blood stops with no treatment. Blood in the pee can be a sign of a very serious problem, such as cancer.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

1. Give your child medicines only as told.
2. If your child was given antibiotics, give the antibiotics as told. Do not stop giving the antibiotics even if your child starts to feel better.

Eating and drinking

1. Give your child more fluids as told.
2. Have your child avoid caffeine, tea, and carbonated drinks. These can bother the bladder.

General instructions

If your child has been diagnosed with a kidney stone, strain their pee to catch the stone if told by the provider.

Have your child empty their bladder often. Your child should avoid holding pee for a long time.

If your child is female, make sure that:

1. She wipes from front to back after using the bathroom.
2. She uses each piece of toilet paper only once.

Pay attention to any changes in your child's symptoms. Tell the provider about them.

It's up to you to get any test results. Ask when your child's results will be ready and how to get them. You may need to call or meet with their provider to get the results.

Keep all follow-up visits. The provider will need to know about any changes or any new symptoms.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. Your child has pain in their back, side, or belly.
2. Your child has a fever or a rash.
3. Your baby has pain or swelling of the joints, face, belly, or legs.
4. Your child has any of these problems:
5. Pee accidents.
6. New red or brown blood in their pee.
7. Peeing more often than usual.
8. Not peeing at all.
9. Passing blood clots in their pee.
10. Your child gets bruises.
11. Your child has a headache.
12. Your child loses weight.

Get help right away if:

1. Your child loses a lot of blood.
2. Your child has shortness of breath.
3. Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
4. Your child is 3 months old or older and has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Call 911 right away.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.