May also be called: Blood in Urine Hematuria (say: hee-ma-TUR-ee-uh) means there is blood in the urine (pee). More to Know Blood in the urine often comes from somewhere in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters (tube-like structures that connect the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). The blood may make the urine appear pink, red, or tea-colored. Other times, the blood is invisible to the naked eye and is only seen when a urine sample is viewed under a microscope. (This is called "microscopic hematuria.") Common causes of blood in the urine include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, irritation of the urethra, injuries, and vigorous exercise. There are many less common causes, and sometimes blood appears in the urine even though there is no underlying problem. Keep in Mind Hematuria is a common condition that requires medical attention. To determine the cause of the hematuria, a doctor might order several tests, including urine tests, blood tests, an ultrasound, a CT scan, or others. If a problem is found, your doctor will either treat it or refer your child to a specialist. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles A to Z: Glomerulonephritis Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli, the parts of the filtering units (nephrons) of the kidney. Read More Blood in the Urine (Hematuria) Hematuria is pretty common, and most of the time it's not serious. Find out what causes blood in the urine and what to do about it. Read More Glomerulonephritis With glomerulonephritis, tiny filtering units in the kidneys stop working properly, causing problems like too much fluid in the body and swelling. Most of the time it can be treated. Find out more. Read More Urinary Tract Infections A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons that teens visit a doctor. Learn about the symptoms of UTIs, how they're treated, and more in this article. Read More Your Urinary System You pee every day, but what makes it happen? Find out in this article for kids about the urinary system. Read More Kidneys and Urinary Tract The kidneys perform several functions that are essential to health, the most important of which are to filter blood and produce urine. Read More Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Related Conditions Recurrent urinary tract infections can cause kidney damage if left untreated, especially in kids under age 6. Here's how to recognize the symptom of UTIs and get help for your child. Read More Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in kids. They're easy to treat and usually clear up in a week or so. Read More Your Kidneys You need at least one kidney to live. Find out why in this article for kids. Read More Kidneys and Urinary Tract The bean-shaped kidneys, each about the size of a child's fist, are essential to our health. Their most important role is to filter blood and produce urine. Read More Urine Tests Is your child having a urine culture or urinalysis performed? Find out why urine tests are performed, and what to expect when the doctor orders them. Read More Ultrasound: Renal (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder) A renal ultrasound makes images of your child's kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Doctors may order this test if they suspect kidney damage, cysts, tumors, kidney stones, or complications from urinary tract infections. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.