Urolithiasis in children: modern possibilities of diagnosis and treatment

The incidence and prevalence of urolithiasis have been increased over the last decade. Most kidney stones in children are composed of either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate and often associated with metabolic disorders. Typical symptoms of urolithiasis in children include abdominal or lower back pain, hematuria, and in acute cases dysuria, fever, or vomiting also occur. Ultrasound of the urinary tract is the first choice for children urolithiasis because it can be used to detect most of symptomatic stones. X-rays or computed tomography are also used. Treatment for kidney stones includes diet, drug therapy, and surgery. Surgical treatments for urolithiasis in children include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, contact lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and open lithotomy. This review describes the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical symptoms and treatment of urolithiasis in children.