Renal lithiasis in pregnant patient: A literary review

Abstract

Renal lithiasis in pregnant women is a relatively rare condition. However, it is the most common cause of non-obstetric pain during pregnancy. During the gestation period, various anatomical-physiological changes occur in the urinary tract. These changes include dilation of the renal calyces, renal pelvis, and ureters due to the effect of progesterone on urethral smooth muscle and compression of the ureters by the gravid uterus. These modifications lead to an increase in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate, thus causing hyperuricosuria and hypercalciuria. Similarly, during pregnancy there is also an increase in the secretion of stone inhibitors, therefore, the prevalence of stone formation during pregnancy is similar to non-pregnant women.The low index of suspicion on the part of the treating physician can hinder the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology, which is also limited in pregnancy due to teratogenic risks. A narrative review of the literature is carried out based on the scientific evidence available in the different databases and in this way it is intended to instruct the doctor in the key aspects of said topic.