Irritability and dysuria in infants with idiopathic hypercalciuria

Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in the pediatric population and occurs in approximately 2.9-6.2% of normal children. The majority of children with IH are asymptomatic; however, the most common clinical presentation is that of isolated hematuria (gross or microscopic). The prevalence, presentation and clinical course of IH is less well established in infants. We have recently seen two young infants with IH who had dysuria on presentation. Their hypercalciuria was difficult to manage and required frequent manipulations of drug therapy and diet restrictions. These cases emphasize the importance of evaluating infants with dysuria and irritability for IH, even in the absence of hematuria. Further studies are needed to establish the prevalence and classical presentation of IH in this population, and to determine the necessary duration of therapy.