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Hypercalciuria in children with urinary tract symptoms
M K Fallahzadeh1, M H Fallahzadeh, A Mowla
1Nephro-urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. fallahzadeh@gmail.com
Summary
Children with urinary symptoms, including pain and incontinence, often show elevated urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr). This suggests hypercalciuria is common in pediatric urinary tract issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract symptoms are common in children.
- Hypercalciuria is a potential contributing factor to these symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr) in children presenting with various urinary symptoms.
- To assess the prevalence of hypercalciuria in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 523 children (ages 3-14) in a nephrology clinic.
- Collected fasting urine samples to measure calcium and creatinine levels.
- Compared patient Ca/Cr ratios to those of healthy Iranian children, defining hypercalciuria as Ca/Cr > 0.2 mg/mg.
Main Results:
- 166 out of 523 children (31.3%) exhibited hypercalciuria.
- Significantly higher urine Ca/Cr ratios were observed across all subgroups with urinary symptoms (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Urinary calcium to creatinine ratio is significantly increased in children experiencing diverse urinary tract symptoms.
- Routine measurement of urinary calcium is recommended for children with unexplained urinary symptoms to identify potential hypercalciuria.
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