Is Urolithiasis in Children Associated With Obesity or Malnutrition?

Abstract

Although it is known that obesity predisposes to urolithiasis, a tendency for malnutrition in children with urolithiasis owing to recurrent urinary infections and abdominal pain also makes sense. In this study, we aimed to determine the nutritional status of infants and children with urolithiasis, and to observe whether obesity or malnutrition is more prevalent in that population. One hundred eighty-seven children aged 4 months to 17 years (mean, 4.9 ± 4.4 years) with urolithiasis, and 278 age- and sex-matched children without any chronic diseases were included. Anthropometric evaluations, including weight and height standard deviation score (SDS), body mass index, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (SFT), were performed. Mean weight SDSs of the patients was statistically lower than that of the control subjects (P < .0001). Malnutrition rate was statistically higher in the patients with urolithiasis when evaluated according to weight SDS and percentiles of body mass index and SFT. When the age factor was taken into account, the percentage of malnutrition, determined by the percentiles of triceps and subscapular SFT measurements, was found to be higher in children younger than 2 years. Short stature was more prevalent in older children. Malnutrition among children with urolithiasis is not as rare as thought previously. A careful anthropometric evaluation should be included in the clinical assessment of those children.