UROLITHIASIS IN CHILDREN – A HEALTH PROBLEM OF CIVILIZATION

Abstract

In the past 25 years, the incidence of urolithiasis in the paediatric population increased twofold. The reasons for the increased morbidity are not completely clear, but it is believed that many different factors impact this situation including bad eating habits, salty diets, inadequate fluid intake, obesity, hypertension, environmental pollution or uncontrolled multivitamin intake. At the same time, improving diagnostics quality and its availability contributed to an increase in the detection of urolithiasis. The paediatric population is subject to high risk of disease recurrence; therefore, it is essential to choose a method of treatment that provides a stone removal in a minimally invasive but effective way. Over 80% of bladder stones are evacuated spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention. The remaining ones need conservative or surgical treatment. A choice of the most appropriate method depends on many factors. The procedures of surgical treatment of urolithiasis in children include ESWL, URSL, RIRS, PCNL and pyelolithotomy using a laparoscopic or open technique. Urolithiasis in children is a severe interdisciplinary problem because of its more common prevalence. Its formation requires a thorough recognition, proper treatment by a nephrologist and the use of efficient, effective and minimally invasive surgical procedure.