Prevalence of asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria among school children in Zahedan

Proteinuria and hematuria are two important modifiable risk factors for the progression of chronic renal failure. The purpose of the present study was to identify the prevalence of these abnormalities among school aged children undergoing urinary screening. A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children aged 7-15 years in Zahedan (South East of Iran) in 2003. A total of 1169 children (51% girls & 48.6% boys) were selected at random using multistage cluster sampling method. The first morning urine was examined twice by a simple dipstick read based on changes in colour and positivity of proteinuria and hematuria. Those who had abnormal results in the first screening test with dipstick were tested again microscopy. The overall prevalence of urinary abnormalities was 2.2 % among school children. Proteinuria was three times more frequent in girls compared with boys (1.05% vs. 0.33%). The proportion of hematuria was also two times higher in girls than boys (2.1% compared with 1%). There is a considerable burden of urinary abnormalities among school children in Iran. Therefore, a simple dipstick method for the early detection of proteinuria and hematuria has significant value in identifying asymptomatic school children with possible renal disorders.