Efficacy of Potassium Citrate Solution in Children with Urolithiasis

Diagnosis and treatment of renal stone are very important especially according to non-special symptoms and risk of complication in children. According to invasive surgical methods for treatment of these patients, this study was done to evaluate oral potassium citrate solution efficacy in children with urolithiasis. This quasi experimental study was done on 150 children who referred to nephrology department or clinic with renal stone and without urinary obstruction (2002-2010). All children were treated with potassium citrate solution initially 1 ml/kg/day and then it was increased till urine PH reached to above 6.5-7. Urinary ultrasonography was done every 3 months and response to treatment was evaluated according to the stone size, age and duration of treatment. The age of children was 25 days to 15 years (Mean 36.7±37.4 month). Eighty five cases (56.6%) were male and 65 (43.4%) were female. The rate of complete response to drug (absence of stone) was 78.7% during one year. Mean of follow up was 15.9± 14.6 months and the risk of relapse (recurrence of stone) was 12.4%. There weren’t significant difference between response to treatment and stone size, age and children sex. Potassium citrate has been found to be significantly effective in treatment of renal stone, so we suggest using this drug for treatment of renal stone in all children without urinary obstruction.