Background and purpose: Nephrolithiasis in the pediatric population includes 7% of all kidney stone disorders in all age groups. Potassium citrate is one of medical agents used in treatment of these disorders. This study investigated the role of potassium citrate in treatment of patients with kidney stones without any metabolic or infectious risk factors.
Materials and methods: A clinical trial was conducted in all patients less than 16 years of age in whom ultrasonography confirmed kidney or urinary tract stones <7mm but had no metabolic or infectious risk factors. Patients were divided into two groups; group I (n=47) were treated with 1-2ml/kg potassium citrate daily and group II (n=33) who received no medication.
Results: A total of 149 patients with nephrolithiasis was assessed of whom 80 included in current study. Improvements in number of stones was seen in 29 (76%) patients in group I and 17 (57%) in group II (P=0.403). Improvements in maximum size of stones were found in 30 (79%) cases in group I and 22 (73%) patients in group II (P=0.791). Total burden of stones showed improvements in 82% of patients in group I and 73% of those in group II (P=0.887). There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of these items.
Conclusion: Potassium citrate can reduce the size and number of stones in most children with renal stones less than 7mm who have no underlying risk factor. But current study found non-pharmacological supportive treatments to yield similar results.