Urinary calculi in children in Western Australia: 1972–86

Abstract Records of all children presenting with urinary calculi in the period 1972–86 were reviewed in order to detail clinical features, laboratory and radiographic findings and treatment. Of a total of 85 children, 59 were Aboriginal and 26 were Caucasian. The features of urolithiasis differed between these groups. In the Aboriginal patients, calculi consisted mainly of uric acid and urates. Important clinical characteristics of this group included a young age at presentation (median = 2.1 years) and frequent presentation with failure to thrive. Calculi were commonly located in the upper urinary tract and most required surgical removal. Documented sequelae included renal scarring and hypertension. Caucasian children presented at a later age (median = 10.5 years), frequently with abdominal pain, and most calculi were associated with an underlying urological or metabolic abnormality.