Evaluation of pediatric nephrolithiasis

Abstract

Nephrolithiasis in the pediatric population is an important cause of morbidity worldwide. Presenting signs and symptoms are often considerably different from those in adults. Vague abdominal pain, hematuria, and urinary tract infection are more common in children than the classic colicky flank pain. Imaging of suspected cases should be undertaken with careful consideration of diagnostic accuracy and the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Because children with nephrolithiasis have a high chance of recurrent stone formation, a thorough risk assessment and metabolic evaluation should be performed. This review discusses the presentation, acute evaluation and risk assessment of nephrolithiasis in the pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION

Nephrolithiasis is an important cause of morbidity worldwide. While the exact incidence of kidney stone disease in children is unknown, in the United States stones are the reason for 1 out of every 1000-7500 pediatric hospital admissions.[1,2] Consequences of nephrolithiasis include pain, infection, and renal damage that can contribute to renal failure in severe cases. Bladder stones occur in less than 10% of North American children, however they are endemic in other regions as a result of dietary and other factors.[3] Anatomic abnormalities such as ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction or ureterovesical junction (UVJ) obstruction are found on workup of nephrorolithiasis in 11-24% of children.[4–6] The strong male predominance[6–8] seen in the adult population is less clear in children, with more recent studies suggesting a roughly equal gender distribution,[9,10] or even a female predominance.[11] While nephrolithiasis can occur in any pediatric age group, infants represent roughly 20% of pediatric stone cases and tend to have a distinct history and presentation.[12] We will discuss the acute evaluation of children with suspected nephrolithiasis, as well as the subsequent metabolic workup.

ACUTE EVALUATION

Presentation

The presentation of nephrolithiasis in children differs significantly from that in adults. The classic unilateral colicky flank pain occurs in only about 7% of cases. Instead, abdominal pain is most common, occurring in 53-75% and gross hematuria in 14-33%.[2,6,8,13,14] Urinary tract infection (UTI) is also common, affecting 8-45.9% of children with nephrolithiasis.[4,5,15] In the case of children under five years of age, UTI or incidental radiologic findings most often lead to the diagnosis; UTI occurs in 62% of this age group.[15,16] Furthermore, if one considers only infants, UTI may be the presenting sign up to 75% of the time.[12,16] As in adults, it is particularly important to recognize the combination of an obstructing stone and UTI as this clinical scenario can quickly lead to sepsis.

Laboratory Studies

Urinalysis should be performed in any child in whom nephrolithiasis is suspected. Microhematuria is the most common abnormality, found in 60-95%.[17–19] Pyuria is found in only 20%.[17] Urinary leukocyte esterase and nitrites may be detected if there is an associated UTI, but these have low sensitivity (particularly urinary nitrites). Blood cell counts and urine cultures should be performed if the child presents with fevers, dysuria or other signs of infection.

Imaging

The imaging evaluation of nephrolithiasis in pediatric patients presents several unique issues. Although plain abdominal radiographs may detect stones, the sensitivity is low (30-60%).[20–22] In adults, the gold standard for diagnosis of nephrolithiasis is the non-contrast spiral computed tomography (CT) scan. Multiple studies have verified the optimal sensitivity and specificity of this study as compared to ultrasound (US) or intravenous pyelography (IVP).[23–25] In pediatric patients the superior diagnostic capability of CT has similarly been verified.[26–28] However, the diagnostic advantages of CT must be considered against the substantial dose of radiation, as children are 3 to 10 times more radiosensitive than adults.[29–31] Furthermore, cost and availability may be a limiting factor for CT in some settings.[25] Long-term risks of radiation exposure in children are not completely understood; however, it has been estimated that a single abdominal CT in a one-year-old imparts a 1 in 550 risk of subsequent lethal tumor development.[32] In light of such concerns, and often-ambiguous presentation in pediatric patients, the initial choice of imaging should be made with the goal of accurate diagnosis while minimizing risk of radiation exposure.

Recently, there has been interest in development of low-dose CT techniques for use in the diagnosis of renal stones. By modification of scanner settings, the ionizing radiation dose delivered can be reduced by 50-80% with minimal loss of diagnostic accuracy.[33,34] While these modifications are appropriate for stone diagnosis, they may result in a reduced accuracy for other abdominal pathology. Since CT is often obtained in children with vague presenting signs and symptoms to evaluate for non-urologic conditions (e.g. appendicitis), the ultimate role of low-dose CT in the diagnostic algorithm for urolithiasis remains unclear.

Prior to CT, IVU was the most accurate imaging study for urolithiasis. Its use has fallen off because it has inferior accuracy compared to CT (specificity is comparable, but the sensitivity is significantly lower),[25,34] and also has the disadvantage of requiring intravenous contrast administration.[26,34] However, IVU may detect radiolucent stones missed by conventional abdominal plain films, and remains a reasonable option where CT and US availability is limited.

Given concerns over radiation exposure in children, US is the modality of choice for initial imaging in pediatric patients who present with findings consistent with nephrolithiasis. US boasts a high sensitivity for renal stones (up to 90%), although sensitivity for ureteral stones is lower (44-90%).[23,25,27,35,36] Despite such limitations, US is a useful first test in those children in whom stones are suspected. If stones are not seen on US but suspicion remains high (e.g., hydroureteronephrosis is present), proceeding to CT is reasonable.

When evaluating for urolithiasis in children, practitioners need to be aware of misleading findings on imaging related to prior treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Endoscopically injected dextranomer/hyaluronic acid co-polymer (Deflux®,Q-med) has been found to calcify and result in a hyperdense focus on CT in up to 36% of cases.[37,38] These high-density lesions on CT and US examinations have the potential to be misdiagnosed as urolithiasis.[38,39] A history of surgical treatment for VUR should alert the practitioner to the possibility of this finding. If a high-density focus is found, concomitant hydroureteronephrosis may help distinguish true urolithiasis from calcified implants.[37]

RISK EVALUATION

Predisposing factors can be identified in up to 87% of children with urolithiasis and recurrent stone disease occurs in 67% of pediatric patients.[2,40] For these reasons, all children who are found to have nephrolithiasis should have a complete evaluation of potential risk factors. The first step in the evaluation of pediatric patients for their risk of recurrent urolithiasis is a detailed history. Specific attention should be directed towards any family history of stone disease, renal dysfunction, gout, or arthritis. There is a increased risk of recurrent urolithiasis when individuals have first-degree relatives with hypercalciuria and prior kidney stone diagnosis.[41] In addition to familial factors, a careful dietary history is essential, particularly with regard to protein, sodium, calcium, and oxalate intake.[3] Imaging studies should be reviewed to examine for anatomic abnormalities. However, since most patients with anatomic abnormalities do not develop stones, a full metabolic workup is still warranted, even when such abnormalities are encountered.[3] Interestingly, there is evidence to suggest that specific metabolic abnormalities such as hypercalciuria may be independently associated with UPJ obstruction.[42]

METABOLIC EVALUATION

The goals of the metabolic evaluation for urolithiasis are to identify children at increased risk for recurrent stone disease and to diagnose specific treatable metabolic derangements. If stones have been surgically removed or isolated from strained urine during spontaneous passage, compositional analysis is helpful to guide the workup and to determine the underlying pathologic processes. In addition to verifying the major molecular components, compositional analysis can define mixed stone types and the specific forms (e.g., calcium oxalate monohydrate versus calcium oxalate dihydrate). Spot urine and serum testing is combined with 24-h urine analysis to comprehensively assess a child′s metabolic risk for recurrent stone disease. The complete metabolic evaluation for stone disease in the pediatric population is presented in Table 1 and individual components are discussed below.

Table 1.

Metabolic evaluation of pediatric nephrolithiasis

URINALYSIS/CULTURE

A spot urine sample is limited in its ability to evaluate metabolic risk but may provide useful information. The urine pH can suggest the types of crystals that are most likely to form. A low urine pH, for example, may be associated with uric acid stones. A high pH raises the possibility of infection stones, as well as possible renal tubular acidosis. It is important to remember that urine pH varies over the course of the day and a single measurement may only be valid for a specific time point. Microscopic urinalysis may identify distinctive crystal structure, such as the flat hexagonal crystals formed by cystine stones. Urinary leukocytes, nitrites, and leukocyte esterase may suggest the presence of infection. A urine culture should be obtained simultaneously to properly investigate bacterial colonization of the urinary tract. A calcium-to-creatinine ratio can be derived from a single specimen and is often used as an initial screening test for hypercalciuria. If hypercalciuria is suspected based on a random spot sample (ratio >0.2, although infants and toddlers may have higher values normally), this should be confirmed with a 24-h urine collection.[43] If cystiunuria is suspected, a nitroprusside test can verify the presence of cystine.[44]

SERUM TESTING

Serum studies are typically not as informative as urine studies, but may provide useful information and are necessary for interpretation of urine test results. Serum creatinine can identify renal insufficiency and is used to calculate the expected excretion of creatinine in a given urine sample. Bicarbonate and pH levels can help diagnose and classify renal tubular acidosis. Serum calcium, albumin and phosphate levels are used to evaluate for hypercalcemic conditions. If abnormal, specific investigation of parathyroid function (i.e. PTH) should be obtained. Irregularities of serum potassium and magnesium can be associated with abnormalities of urinary stone inhibitors.[44] Elevated serum urate levels are found with abnormalities in the metabolism of purines.

24-H URINALYSIS

In addition to spot urine and serum tests, a formal 24-h urine collection is essential to the determination of stone-forming risk. Because of variation in diet and fluid intake, results from two separate 24-h urine collections, ideally six weeks after the patient achieves a stone-free status, should be used to guide treatment. To ensure that there is a complete 24-h collection of urine, a total creatinine should be greater than 15-20 mg/kg. When interpreting 24-h urine results, it is important to remember that adult reference values are not necessarily applicable to the pediatric population.[45,46] Borawski et al., measured standard urinary risk factors in 46 healthy children without a history of stones.[46] After adjusting for urinary creatinine and body weight, multiple metabolic parameters including oxalate, uric acid, citrate, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium significantly decreased with increasing age. Table 2 lists several standard urinary parameters with known pediatric reference ranges.[45] In addition to the concentrations of individual components, the supersaturation indices are especially useful to quantify crystallization potential.[47]

Table 2.

Adult and pediatric reference values for 24-hour urinalysis

Recent investigations into stone-forming risk have resulted in the Bonn risk index (BRI) which may better predict recurrent calcium oxalate stone formation.[48,49] The BRI is the ratio of ionized urinary calcium to the amount of ammonium oxalate required to induce calcium oxalate crystallization in 200 ml of urine. This ratio remains relatively stable in children across age and sex. BRI values in children with renal stones are 15-fold higher when compared to healthy children. Future research on the BRI is required to define its potential as a predictor of stone formation in asymptomatic children.

Perhaps the single most significant finding on a 24-h urine collection is the total volume. Pediatric stone-formers tend to have vastly insufficient oral fluid intake, and this may be the single most important factor in stone formation and recurrence. Low volumes documented on a 24-h urine (<1 mL/kg/hour) may serve as evidence of poor intake and may facilitate a discussion with families of the need to aggressively increase fluid intake throughout the day.

SPECIFIC METABOLIC FINDINGS

Hypercalciuria

Hypercalciuria is the most common cause of stones in children, representing up to 50% of the metabolic risk factors identified during evaluation.[50,51] Defined as a urinary calcium excretion of more than 4 mg/kg/day, it is found in as many as 4% of healthy children.[52] DeFoor et al., compared 24-h urine parameters children, and found that recurrent stone-formers have significantly higher calcium levels than first-time stone patients.[53] Most of the causes of hypercalciuria are idiopathic, both sporadic or familial.[54] Elevated vitamin D has been implicated in some cases of hypercalciuria; however, up to half of patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria have normal levels.[55] Alternatively, an increased number of vitamin D receptors may be responsible for hypercalciuria in certain patients. Other causes of hypercalciuria include distal renal tubular acidosis, medullary sponge kidney, and the use of medications such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), loop diuretics, theophylline, and corticosteroids.

Most children with hypercalciuria have a normal serum calcium.[18] However, in those with hypercalcemia, specific conditions should be considered: primary hyperparathyroidism, immobilization, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, adrenocorticosteroid excess (endogenous or exogenous), adrenal insufficiency, osteolytic metastases, idiopathic hypercalcemia of infancy, sarcoidosis, hypervitaminosis D, milk alkali syndrome, Williams syndrome, and, rarely, mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor.

Hyperoxaluria

Hyperoxaluria, seen in up to 20% of children with nephrolithiasis, is most commonly caused by idiopathic hyperoxaluria with mild elevations of urinary oxalate levels.[3] Foods high in oxalate include beet and turnip greens, rhubarb, strawberries, star fruit, sweet potatoes, wheat bran, tea, cocoa, pepper, chocolate, parsley, beets, spinach, dill, nuts and citrus juices. Fat malabsorption can increase dietary oxalate via colonic hyperabsorption. The malabsorbed fatty acids displace luminal calcium from oxalate allowing increased absorption. More rarely, Type 1 primary hyperoxaluria (an autosomal recessive disease) causes a severe phenotype characterized by recurrent calcium oxalate urolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis and extrarenal tissue oxalate deposition.[3]

Hyperuricosuria

Hyperuricosuria has been found in 2-10% of children who are metabolically predisposed to kidney stone formation.[54] Most patients with hyperuricosuria also have hypercalciuria; calcium oxalate urolithiasis may be coexistent. Children with the familial or idiopathic form of the disease tend to have normal serum uric acid concentrations. Overproduction of uric acid may also occur secondary to inborn errors of metabolism, myeloproliferative disorders or a ketogenic diet. Overall, however, uric acid stones are uncommon in the pediatric population.

Cystinuria

Cystine stones comprise approximately 6% of the stones in the pediatric population. Stones result from elevated urinary excretion of cystine (cystinuria) caused by an autosomal recessive disorder of renal tubular transport, occurring in 1 in 15,000 live births.[3] It is characterized by failure of the renal tubules to reabsorb four basic amino acids: cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine. Cystine is poorly soluble at acidic pH, and at urine pH of less than 7.0 cystine will precipitate and form stones. Patients with cystinuria are characteristically lifelong stone-formers.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of nephrolithiasis in children differs from that of adults. The non-classical and often vague presentation requires a high level of clinical suspicion. Imaging must be undertaken with care to identify stones while avoiding excess radiation exposure. Because of the prevalence of metabolic risk factors and the significant risk of recurrence in this population, all children require a complete evaluation with metabolic workup.