Hemoglobinuria

Hemoglobinuria
Other namesHaemoglobinuria
Structure of hemoglobin
SpecialtyUrology, nephrology

Hemoglobinuria is a condition in which the oxygen transport protein hemoglobin is found in abnormally high concentrations in the urine.[1] The condition is caused by excessive intravascular hemolysis, in which large numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed, thereby releasing free hemoglobin into the plasma.[2] Excess hemoglobin is filtered by the kidneys, which excrete it into the urine, giving urine a purple color. Hemoglobinuria can lead to acute tubular necrosis which is an uncommon cause of a death of uni-traumatic patients recovering in the ICU.

Causes

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is often made based on the medical history, blood samples, and a urine sample. The absence of urine RBCs and RBC casts microscopically despite a positive dipstick test suggests hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria. The medical term for RBCs in the urine is hematuria.

See also

References

  1. Deters, A.; Kulozik, A. E. (2003). "Hemoglobinuria". Practical Algorithms in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: 20–21. doi:10.1159/000069582. ISBN 3-8055-7432-0. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  2. Harper, James L (30 September 2020). "What causes hemoglobinuria?". www.medscape.com. Retrieved 5 April 2021.


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