Aetiology of nephrolithiasis in north Indian children

The aetiology of nephrolithiasis was investigated in 32 north Indian children (25 boys, 7 girls, mean age 7.9 +/- 3.3 years). An underlying disorder was detected in 16 (50%) patients and included idiopathic hypercalciuria (8 patients), hyperoxaluria (3 patients) and renal tubular acidosis, primary hyperparathyroidism and hyperuricosuria (1 patient each). Magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi were found in 2 patients with recurrent urinary tract infections, 1 of whom had a duplex pelvic collecting system. In 16 patients (50%) a cause for renal calculi was not identified. Our findings suggest that an underlying disorder is present in a large proportion of children with nephrolithiasis where appropriate treatment may be beneficial.