Urolithiasis and enteric hyperoxaluria in a child with steatorrhea

Malabsorptive states are frequently associated with increased urinary oxalate excretion. The authors describe a 10-year-old girl with steatorrhea, hyperoxaluria, and a renal calculus in a single functioning kidney. Successful management of steatorrhea corrected both the chronic diarrhea and hyperoxaluria. Enteric hyperoxaluria is a well-known etiology of calcium oxalate urolithiasis in adults. Pediatricians caring for children with malabsorptive conditions should be aware of the risk of urinary calculus formation as a result of increased dietary oxalate absorption.