Coexistence of thin membrane and Alport nephropathies in families with haematuria

The finding of familial haematuria without a history of deafness or renal i mpairment is often assumed to indicate a benign prognosis. However, we desc ribe three families in whom Alport and thin basement membrane nephropathy w ere separately identified within the same pedigree. Our findings illustrate the importance of fully investigating families with haematuria, even if th in basement nephropathy has been diagnosed in one member.