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Updated: 1/1/2025
Pediatric Stone Disease
Stone imaging algorithm, from Campbell's
Considerations
50% will have a recurrence within 3-5 years of first episode
Increased risk for CKD, decreased BMD, and heart disease
Obtain CT imaging only if renal US is nondiagnostic and clinical suspicion is high
US stone criteria: hyperechoic focus in kidney + twinkle artifact (multicolor signal on Doppler) - 70% sensitivity, 95% specificity
Neonatal nephrocalcinosis: seen in 7-41% preterm infants in NICU, most resolve spontaneously, only 15% will require further interventions
Urine stone workup findings
Hypercalciuria:
4 mg/kg/day if > 2yo, Ca/Cr ratio > 0.21mg/mg
Hyperoxaluria:
primary may require liver/kidney transplant, secondary caused by increased gut absorption
Hypocitraturia:
Cit/Cr ratio < 128mg/g in boys and < 300mg/g in girls
Cystinuria:
normal excretion < 60 mg/d/1.73m
2
BSA
Hyperuricosuria:
leads to epitaxy (uric acid acts as nidus)
Prevention
Fluids:
up to 1.5-2L/m
2
for cystinuria
Sodium:
limit to 2-3mEq/kg/d or 2.4g/d in teenagers/adults
Calcium:
maintain normal levels, low Ca may worsen stone risks
Protein:
do not exceed normal requirements
Oxalate:
majority (80%) does not come from diet, but can limit if proven hyperoxaluria
Protective factors:
citrate, potassium, magnesium
Medications
Alpha blockers:
can be given for acute stone episode if < 10mm, overall utility unknown
Thiazides:
hypercalciuria resistant to low sodium diet, 1-2mg/kg/d
K citrate:
low/normal citrate and CaOx stones, 2-4mEq/kg/d
Thiola:
prevent disulfide bridge formation
Allopurinol:
hyperuricemia + hyperuricosuria, 4-10mg/kg/d (max 300mg/d), treat uric acid stones with hydration and alkalinization
Pyridoxine:
primary hypoxaluria Type 1, 2-5mg/kg/d and titrate up
Surgical management
Up to 60% will require surgery
Success rates: 70-97% PCNL, 85-88% URS, 80-83% ESWL
URS:
ureteral stones or renal stones < 2cm
ESWL:
renal stones < 1.5cm, increased need for retreatment if longer infundibulum or infundibulopelvic angle > 45 degrees
PCNL:
renal stones > 2cm
Similar risks to adult stone surgery, may have higher need for pre-stenting due to narrow ureters
References
AUA Core Curriculum
Baskin, Laurence S. Handbook of pediatric urology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2018.
Tasian, G. and L. Copelovitch. "Management of Pediatric Kidney Stone Disease." Campbell-Walsh Urology 12 (2020).