Bladder stones in childhood: a descriptive study in a rural setting in Saravan Province, Lao PDR.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to describe clinical cases of childhood bladder stones and associated risk factors. Forty children (9 girls), aged 1-14-years old, (means 4.7 +/- 0.5 years), who underwent surgical stone removal in the Saravane Provincial Hospital during a 13-month period, were included. Bladder stone removal accounted for 55% of all surgical procedures performed on children. Most frequent symptoms were impaired micturition (97%) and acute urinary retention (32%). Body mass index was low, at < 18.5 in 92% of all cases, indicating serious associated malnutrition. Parental interviews disclosed a history of recent episodes of diarrhea (> 3 episodes in the previous year), recurrent urinary tract infection, and familial urolithiasis, in 60, 32, and 27% of patients, respectively. All children had been or were being breastfed, but 72% of the mothers introduced white rice into their children' diet as early as the first week of life, while 85% of them used to vary the food regimen (introducing meat, fish, fruit and vegetables) only after 1 year of age. This preliminary study suggests that the morbidity and social cost of childhood bladder stones may be high. A larger scale prospective and comparative study assessing their incidence and associated nutritional factors is warranted and feasible, and may lead to preventive measures.