Urinary tract stones in immobilized children

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract stones in children are uncommon in the absence of structural abnormalities or metabolic disorders. Prolonged immobilization is a recognized precursor of hypercalcemia and other disturbances in mineral metabolism. The authors describe 3 children (7, 9, and 11 years of age) who were found to have stones in the upper urinary tract following prolonged immobilization for treatment of orthopedic abnormalities. Hypercalcemia was documented in 2 patients and hypercalciuria in 1. The mechanism of immobilization-induced hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria is discussed.