Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Paediatric urolithiasis in central coast region of Tunisia: clinical characteristics
Akram Alaya1, Abdellatif Nouri, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar
1University Hospital, Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia. akram_alaya@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
Paediatric urolithiasis in Tunisia shows a changing profile, with a decrease in male prevalence and an increase in calcium oxalate stones, predominantly in the upper urinary tract. This study outlines the clinical and biological characteristics of kidney stones in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Paediatric urolithiasis (kidney stones in children) presents unique clinical and biological challenges.
- Understanding the epidemiological trends and stone composition is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the clinical and biological characteristics of paediatric urolithiasis in Tunisia's coastal region.
- To analyze the epidemiological profile and stone composition in children with urinary stones.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective multi-centric study of 168 children (<16 years) with urinary stones.
- Review of patient data including age, sex, history, and clinical findings.
- Physical (stereomicroscope) and chemical (infra-red spectroscopy) stone analysis.
Main Results:
- The sex ratio was 1.47 (boys to girls).
- Common presentations included abdominal pain (28%), hematuria (25.6%), dysuria (16.7%), and urinary tract infections (14.3%).
- Stones were predominantly in the upper urinary tract (75.6%), with whewellite being a frequent component (46.4% section, 55.4% surface).
Conclusions:
- Paediatric urolithiasis in Tunisia shows a decreasing male prevalence.
- The epidemiological profile has shifted towards calcium oxalate stones and upper tract locations.
Objective:
To show an outline of the clinical and biological characteristics of paediatric urolithiasis among Tunisian children in the coast region.
Patients And Methods:
This retrospective study included 168 children under the age of 16 years presented with urinary stones (100 boys and 68 girls). Patients were reviewed in a multi-centric study with regard to age at diagnosis, sex, history, and physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. The physical and chemical analysis of stones was carried out respectively by a stereomicroscope and by infra-red spectroscopy.
Results:
The sex ratio was 1.47. The clinical presentation of this pathology was dominated by abdominal pain (28%), hematuria (25.6%), dysuria (16.7%) and urinary tract infection (14.3%). Stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 75.6% of cases. Of the urine cultures, 14.3% were positive. Whewellite was more frequent in children stones than in infants (p < 0.05) and was the main component in 46.4% of stone section and 55.4% in stone surface.
Conclusion:
The male prevalence of paediatric urolithiasis is progressively decreasing in Tunisia. The epidemiological profile of renal stones in our country has changed towards a predominance of calcium oxalate stone and upper tract location.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction
01:30Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management
01:27Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi V: Nursing Management
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management