[Urolithiasis in childhood]

Abstract

Our experience with 95 pediatric stone patients in the years 1960-1979 is presented. 2/3 of all stones were diagnosed in the pre-school age. Leading symptoms were infection, hematuria and abdominal pain. 52% of the stones were composed of phosphate. 87.5% of the children up to the age of 6 had urinary tract infection. Phosphate stones were mostly accompanied by urea-splitting organisms. An underlying cause for the stone formation could be found in 62% (urodynamic disturbances 32%, metabolic derangements 21%, proteus infection 8%, foreign body 1%). In 76% of the children the stones had to be removed surgically. The recurrence rate was 22% in 6.2 years. From our experience we recommend to use only a crystallographic stone analysis, to perform an exact metabolic check-up and a long term follow-up of the children.