Familial thin basement membrane nephropathy in children with asymptomatic microhematuria.

A review of 130 children with persistent microhematuria showed that the most common abnormality was a form of hereditary nephritis for wich we propose the term 'familial thin basement membrane nephropathy' (FTBMN). This lesion is not as severe as that of Alport's syndrome but carries a guarded prognosis. Family histories, urinalyses and audiograms systematically done on parents and other relatives show that FTBMN may be present in as many as 39% of children with persistent microhematuria and that careful family studies identify children likely to have this lesion.