Microlithiasis and Nephrolithiasis among infants: Is it a new phenomenon?

Abstract

Objectives: Although nephrolithiasis is a rare but a serious problem for children’s health, recent data has showed that the prevalence of pediatric nephrolithiasis has increased in both developed and developing countries. North and West of Iran, as a country located in Afro-Asian stone-forming belt, has the highest incidence for renal stones among adults. This study aimed to determine the incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis among infants in a city at North West of Iran.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study on infants aged less than one year old, diagnosed as patients with microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis, over three months period (since March 2010) who were referred to pediatrician in a city of East Azerbaijan province. Demographic data (age, sex), number of stones, size of stones, presence of hydronephrosis in kidneys, history of jaundice and family history of stone disease were recorded.

Results: Incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis was 0.04866 and 0.03244, respectively. Fever (30%) was the main cause of complication. Male to female ratio was 4:1, and 20% of our subjects had a positive history of nephrolithiasis in their first degree relatives.

Conclusion: This area has the highest incidence of microlithiasis and nephrolithiasis. Emergent population-based and case-control studies are needed to report its incidence/prevalence of nephrolithiasis in other parts of the country as well as to find its etiology.