[Review on renal calculosis in pregnancy]

By the analysis of the series reported by many authors, urolithiasis in pregnancy seems to be a rare, but significant pathology. The disease, potentially dramatic for the mother and fetus, appearing into a such particular physiological state like is pregnancy, suggests a reevaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic methods and better control of maternal and fetal risk. Furthermore, urolithiasis must be considered as cause of premature birth, a very severe complication of pregnancy the incidence and predisposing factors of urinary tract stones are generally the same in nonpregnant women. But any metabolic effects and the anatomical changes happen in pregnancy can have a important role on stone's formation. Signs and symptoms in urinary stone disease are: colic, flank pain, hematuria, urinary tract infection; irritative voiding, fever. The initial evaluation and treatment are again similar to those used for the non pregnant population. Radiographic studies any way must be used with caution for the risks of the ionizing radiations for the fetus. All forms of treatment with the exception of extracorporeal shock ware lithotripsy, are appropriate in the pregnant patients but naturally very useful, for the appropriate care of these patients is the coordination by the urologist, the obstetrician, the pediatrician, the radiologist and the anesthesiologist.