Paediatric Urolithiasis and Nephrocalcinosis

Paediatric nephrology practice often encounters consults for paediatric urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. In contrast to adults, genetic, metabolic dysfunctions and anatomical malformations contribute a significant amount to paediatric stone disease and nephrocalcinosis. Since the risk of recurrence and ensuing long-term morbidity is greater in children, a detailed evaluation is required. The most common metabolic risk factors associated with stone formation include hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria and cystinuria. Children often need a detailed assessment for the aetiology which includes multiple 24-h urine collections, random urine samples and blood samples. Radiological evaluation, including a good ultrasound and rarely a CT scan, is a key to the diagnosis and management in these cases. This chapter shall illustrate radiological features of common clinical cases of paediatric urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis and shall also illustrate the complications of these aetiologies.