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Idiopathic urolithiasis in Tunisian children: a report of 134 cases
1Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Unité de Nutrition et Métaux Lourds, Monastir, Tunisia. akram_alaya@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
Idiopathic urolithiasis in children is linked to decreased water intake and increased animal protein and oxalate consumption. Calcium oxalate stones are most common, especially in school-aged children, highlighting dietary influences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
- Urology
Background:
- Urolithiasis in children presents unique metabolic and nutritional challenges.
- Idiopathic urolithiasis requires understanding of contributing factors in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize idiopathic urolithiasis in children by evaluating metabolic and nutritional aspects.
- To identify common risk factors and dietary habits associated with pediatric kidney stones.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 134 children (6 months to 16 years) with renal calculi.
- Dietary surveys, stone localization, and serum/urine risk factor analysis.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS 11.0.
Main Results:
- Hypercalciuria was the most frequent risk factor (28.3%).
- Reduced water intake and increased animal protein/oxalate intake were observed, particularly in rural and older pediatric groups.
- Calcium oxalate monohydrate was the predominant stone type (58.2%), more common in children than infants.
Conclusions:
- Dietary habits significantly influence stone formation in pediatric urolithiasis.
- The etiology of pediatric urolithiasis, especially calcium oxalate stones, varies with age, emphasizing lifestyle factors.
Abstract:
We evaluated the metabolic and the nutritional aspects of 134 urolithiasis children in order to outline the characteristics of idiopathic urolithiasis in children. This prospective study group of 134 children (56 females, 78 males) with renal calculi was evaluated. The age range of the patients was six months to 16 years. A dietary survey was performed on every child. All patients were investigated with respect to stone localization and serum and urine risk factors. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using software SPSS 11.0 for Windows. Hypercalciuria was the most common risk factor detected in this group (28.3%). A decrease of water intake was noted in all age groups, especially in the rural area (549.6 mL/day vs. 1150.6 mL/day), and there was an increase in animal protein intake in 17 cases (mean: 1.9 g/kg). In addition, increased intake of starchy foods and food with high oxalate content (sorgum) were detected in the ten to 16 years age group (51%) of our study. Calcium oxalate monohydrate represents the principal component of idiopathic stone (58.2%), which is more frequent in children (68%) than in infants (51.7%) (P <0.02). The major etiology of idiopathic urolithiasis highlights the influence of dietary habit in stone formers in our country. The increased occurrence of calcium oxalate stones in school age children confirms the change in the etiology of urolithiasis according to age.
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