[Hypocitraturia in children with urolithiasis]

Inhibitors of crystallization process play an important role in renal-stone forming patients. One of well-known inhibitor is citrate. The aim of the study was to define the type of metabolic abnormality in children with nephrolithiasis and the role of urinary citrate excretion. 52 children with nephrolithiasis were examined. Hypocitraturia was observed in 42.3% of patients, most frequently in children with hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, and hyperoxaluria with hyperuricosuria. Low urinary citrate excretion found in patients with nephrolithiasis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Urinary citrate excretion should be examined in patients with nephrolithiasis.