Hemoglobinuria
Hemoglobinuria is a condition in which the oxygen transport protein hemoglobin is found in abnormally high concentrations in the urine. 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. 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
Acute glomerulonephritis
Burns
Renal cancer
Malaria
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Microangiopathies, e.g. hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) leading to microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
Transfusion reactions
IgM autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Pyelonephritis
Sickle cell anemia
Tuberculosis of the urinary tract
March hemoglobinuria secondary to repetitive impacts on the body, usually the feet
Athletic nephritis secondary to strenuous exercise
Acute lead poisoning

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
Hematuria

References


== External links ==