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Etiological and clinical patterns of urolithiasis in Turkish children
A Oner1, G Demircin, H Ipekçioğlu
1Department of Nephrology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Childhood urolithiasis in Turkey presents serious risks, with many children developing chronic renal failure due to infection stones. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for preventing end-stage renal disease and improving quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood urolithiasis (kidney stones in children) is a significant health concern.
- Understanding its clinical and etiological characteristics is vital for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and etiological characteristics of childhood urolithiasis in Turkey.
- To identify key factors contributing to the disease and its outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 92 children diagnosed with urolithiasis between 1990 and 1995.
- Analysis of clinical patterns, etiological factors, stone location, and recurrence rates.
Main Results:
- Male predominance (M/F ratio 1.6) with earlier onset in boys.
- 15.2% presented with chronic renal failure; 64.3% had infection stones.
- Anatomical defects (30.4%), infections (31.5%), and metabolic disorders (26.1%) were primary etiological factors.
Conclusions:
- Childhood urolithiasis is a serious issue in Turkey, often leading to severe renal complications.
- Early diagnosis and prompt management of renal stones and urinary tract infections are essential.
- Interventions are needed to prevent end-stage renal failure and enhance patients' quality of life.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical and etiological characteristics of childhood urolithiasis in Turkey.
Methods:
Ninety-two children with urolithiasis were studied retrospectively according to clinical patterns and etiological factors between January 1990 and January 1995.
Results:
The age range of the patients was from 2 months to 14 years (mean age 6.9 years), and there was a male/female ratio of 1.6. The onset of the disease was earlier in boys than in girls. The most striking features were the initial admission of 14 (15.2%) children after the development of chronic renal failure and that most of them (64.3%) had infection stones. The stones were localized in the upper urinary system in 68.5% of the patients; bladder stones were rare (10.9%). The recurrence rate at presentation was 15.2% in all patients. As etiological factors, an anatomical defect was found in 30.4% of the patients, infections in 31.5%, and metabolic disorders in 26.1%; 11 (12.0%) of them were classified as idiopathic. The earliest presentation was seen with metabolic and infection stones and the highest recurrence rate (37.5%) in patients with metabolic stones.
Conclusion:
Childhood urolithiasis is a serious problem in Turkey. In order to prevent the development of end-stage renal failure and to improve the patients' quality of life, more efforts should be made with respect to early diagnosis and management of renal stones and urinary tract infections.