RENAL BIOPSY DIAGNOSIS IN CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH HEMATURIA

We reviewed the clinical and renal biopsy findings in 322 children pre senting during the years 1975-1996 with recurrent macro- or continuous microscopic haematuria persisting for greater than or equal to 6 mont hs, in whom non-glomerular causes were excluded. Family involvement wa s documented for first-degree relatives. All biopsies were examined by light microscopy, 317 by electron microscopy and 315 by immunofluores cence. Biopsies were classified as IgA nephropathy (78), Alport nephro pathy (86), thin basement membrane nephropathy (TMN) (50), miscellaneo us glomerulonephritis (32), hilar vasculopathy (28) and normal glomeru li (48). Although microscopic haematuria alone was more frequent in Al port nephropathy and TMN, the pattern of haematuria in individual pati ents did not predict histology. Of patients with familial haematuria, 79% of biopsies showed either Alport nephropathy or TMN. Hilar vasculo pathy was observed both in isolation and in all abnormal histological categories.