ABSTRACT
Benign familial hematuria,also called thin basement membrane nephropathy,is caused by a heterozygous mutation in the COL4A3 or COL4A4 gene.The prognosis of the patients with benign familial hematuria,who present isolated hematuria without associated with proteinuria and normal renal function,is good in childhood.However,the prognosis of part of the patients with benign familial hematuria,who appear proteinuria,hypertension,chronic renal failure and end-stage kidney disease,is poor in adulthood.Therefore,the patients with benign familial hematuria should be carried on the long-term follow-up,and may be reviewed every 1-2 years for hypertension,proteinuria,and renal impairment.Treatment for benign familial hematuria should include an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor to delay the onset of renal failure.