Postrenal Failure due to Urinary Stones Associated with Acute Viral Gastroenteritis: Three Case Reports

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Nephrology
• Virology

Background:

• Acute gastroenteritis in infants, often viral, commonly leads to dehydration and acute renal failure.
• While rotavirus is a frequent cause of viral gastroenteritis, it rarely induces postrenal failure.
• Postrenal failure in infants is typically associated with urinary tract obstruction, but bilateral ureteral stones are an uncommon cause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report three cases of infants experiencing postrenal failure attributed to bilateral ureteral stones.
• To highlight the association between rotavirus-induced acute gastroenteritis and the development of these stones.
• To emphasize a potential treatment strategy for this rare condition.

Main Methods:

• Case series reporting on three infants diagnosed with postrenal failure.
• Identification of rotavirus as the causative viral agent in all cases.
• Treatment involved immediate nephrostomy to relieve obstruction and chemical dissolution therapy.

Main Results:

• All three infants presented with postrenal failure secondary to bilateral ureteral stones.
• Rotavirus infection was confirmed in the context of acute gastroenteritis preceding stone formation.
• Successful treatment was achieved with immediate nephrostomy and urinary alkalization for chemical dissolution.

Conclusions:

• Acute gastroenteritis, particularly rotavirus infection, can precipitate bilateral ureteral stones leading to postrenal failure in infants.
• Immediate nephrostomy to decompress the upper urinary tract is crucial.
• Chemical dissolution therapy, including urinary alkalization, is an effective treatment modality for these cases.