Metabolic and demographic characteristics of children with urolithiasis in Western Turkey

Pediatric urolithiasis is an endemic disease in Turkey. We evaluated the clinical, radiological and metabolic features of children with urolithiasis in Western Turkey. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 85 children with urolithiasis who were followed-up between 2004 and 2010 in Pediatric Nephrology Department of Celal Bayar University, Manisa. The male/female ratio was 1.23/1. The mean age at diagnosis was 66.1 months (range 3–210 months). Family history of urolithiasis was found in 58 (68.2%) patients. 23 (27%) patients were born from consanguineous marriages. Stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 79 (92.9%) patients. In 66 (77.6%) patients, stones were single-sided and 41 (48.2%) patients had multiple stones. Calcium oxalate stones were the most common one among patients in whom stone analysis was performed (78.5%). Hypocitraturia was the most commonly detected urinary metabolic risk factor. In patients who were under 12 months of age at diagnosis, hypercalciuria was the most commonly seen urinary metabolic risk factor. At the end of follow-up period, 24 patients became free of stone disease and 4 patients had recurrence. In conclusion, metabolic abnormalities are common in pediatric stone patients and are strongly associated with recurrence. Considering that urolithiasis in children is an important risk factor for renal failure, early diagnosis, detailed metabolic evaluation and implementing appropriate treatment and follow-up protocols may prevent recurrence and renal damage.