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Hypocitraturia in patients with urolithiasis
T Akçay1, D Konukoğlu, C Celik
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Istanbul, Turkey.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Children with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis have significantly lower urinary citrate levels compared to healthy children. This finding highlights a potential biomarker for kidney stone disease in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Idiopathic calcium urolithiasis is a common condition in children.
- Urinary citrate plays a crucial role in inhibiting calcium stone formation.
- Reduced urinary citrate excretion is a known risk factor for kidney stones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the urinary citrate/creatinine ratio in children with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis.
- To compare citrate levels between pediatric patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between age and urinary citrate excretion in this population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted.
- 25 children diagnosed with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis were recruited as cases.
- 24 healthy children served as controls.
- Urinary citrate and creatinine levels were measured and the ratio calculated.
Main Results:
- The mean urinary citrate/creatinine ratio was significantly lower in children with urolithiasis (0.181 ± 0.076) compared to controls (0.510 ± 0.205).
- A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p < 0.001).
- No significant correlation was found between age and urinary citrate excretion in either group.
Conclusions:
- Children with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis exhibit significantly reduced urinary citrate excretion.
- The urinary citrate/creatinine ratio may serve as a valuable indicator for idiopathic calcium urolithiasis in children.
- Further research is warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting citrate levels in pediatric kidney stone disease.