[Classification of urinary calculi in a pediatric population from Brittany]

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary lithiasis in children is relatively seldom in France as in industrialized countries. The determination of their etiology based on their composition may lead to a better treatment.

Method: One hundred and eight urinary calculi from 6 months through 18-year-old children were analyzed by using spectrophotometry, in order to specify their structure. Six groups were evidenced through a multidimensional analysis based on the presence of components weighing at least 5% of the total.

Results: The youngest children affected were mostly boys, and the sex ratio switched after 12.5 years. Above 14 years of age, the number of calculi significantly raised. Their composition varied with the gender, and their localization with the age. Finally a correlation between infection and composition of the calculus was shown in our study.

Conclusion: The classification of calculi among six groups according to their composition, along with clinical informations and morphologic studies, has proven its value in determining the etiology of the lithiasis. These data help to better understand the kind of lithiasis that may be observed and the physiopathology of the mechanism explaining it from the gender and age.

Keywords: Calculus composition; Composition des calculs; Lithiase urinaire; Pediatric population from Brittany; Population pédiatrique bretonne; Urinary lithiasis.