Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Pediatric urinary stone disease--does age matter?
Carmin M Kalorin1, Andrew Zabinski, Ikenna Okpareke
1Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York, USA.
Insights
Younger children with kidney stones are more likely to have renal stones, while older children tend to have ureteral stones. Both age groups show similar stone passage rates and recurrence risks, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Pediatric Stone Disease
Background:
- Urinary calculi in children can lead to recurrence and complications.
- Previous studies suggested younger children (<10 years) have lower spontaneous stone passage rates and higher recurrence risks due to metabolic abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with urinary calculi.
- To specifically examine age-related differences in stone passage, recurrence, and metabolic abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients (2000-2007) with renal or ureteral calculi.
- Patients divided into two groups: ≤10 years (39 patients) and >10 years (41 patients).
- Analysis of stone location, size, passage success, intervention rates, recurrence, and 24-hour urine metabolic studies.
Main Results:
- Younger children more frequently presented with renal stones (57%) compared to older children (31%) (p=0.02).
- Overall stone passage rates were similar: 34% in younger vs. 29% in older children (p=0.65).
- Stone recurrence rates were comparable between age groups (7 younger vs. 6 older patients).
Conclusions:
- Age does not significantly impact spontaneous stone passage rates in children.
- Younger children are more prone to renal calculi, while older children present with ureteral calculi.
- Metabolic abnormalities and stone recurrence rates are similar across pediatric age groups studied.
Purpose:
It has been proposed that younger children are less likely to pass renal calculi spontaneously, and that children younger than 10 years are more likely to have an identifiable metabolic abnormality and subsequently a higher risk of recurrence. We report our clinical outcomes in children with urinary calculi, specifically examining these factors.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a retrospective review of all pediatric patients diagnosed with renal or ureteral calculi at our institution between 2000 and 2007. Of 150 patients evaluated and treated during this period 80 (86 stones) had sufficient followup data to be included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age, namely 10 years or younger and older than 10 years. There were 39 patients in the younger group and 41 patients in the older group. Stone size and location, successful passage or intervention, recurrence and 24-hour urine metabolic study results were recorded.
Results:
Of the younger cohort stones were ureteral in 43% and renal in 57%. The opposite trend was seen in older patients, with 69% having ureteral and 31% having renal stones (p = 0.02). Mean stone size (greatest dimension) did not differ significantly between the older and younger groups (6.9 mm vs 5.5 mm, p = 0.17). Overall stone passage rate was 34% for younger and 29% for older patients (p = 0.65). No significant mean size differences in passed stones existed between the groups (3.2 mm vs 2.5 mm, p = 0.31). Overall younger vs older ureteral stone passage rate was 37% vs 41% (p = 0.58), and for renal stones it was 32% vs 0%. Stones recurred in 7 younger and 6 older patients.
Conclusions:
Younger children were more likely to present with renal stones, while older children had more ureteral stones. Overall children 10 years old or younger are as likely to pass stones as older children. Renal stones are more likely to be successfully managed expectantly in younger children. Metabolic abnormalities and stone recurrences are observed at similar rates between younger and older children.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention
01:30Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi V: Nursing Management