title: Bladder stones in childhood: a descriptive study in a rural setting in Saravan Province, Lao PDR.
abstract: The aim of the study was to describe clinical cases of childhood bladder stones and associated risk factors. Forty children (9 girls), aged 1-14-years old, (means 4.7 +/- 0.5 years), who underwent surgical stone removal in the Saravane Provincial Hospital during a 13-month period, were included. Bladder stone removal accounted for 55% of all surgical procedures performed on children. Most frequent symptoms were impaired micturition (97%) and acute urinary retention (32%). Body mass index was low, at < 18.5 in 92% of all cases, indicating serious associated malnutrition. Parental interviews disclosed a history of recent episodes of diarrhea (> 3 episodes in the previous year), recurrent urinary tract infection, and familial urolithiasis, in 60, 32, and 27% of patients, respectively. All children had been or were being breastfed, but 72% of the mothers introduced white rice into their children' diet as early as the first week of life, while 85% of them used to vary the food regimen (introducing meat, fish, fruit and vegetables) only after 1 year of age. This preliminary study suggests that the morbidity and social cost of childhood bladder stones may be high. A larger scale prospective and comparative study assessing their incidence and associated nutritional factors is warranted and feasible, and may lead to preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Institut de la Francophonie pour la Médecine Tropicale, Vientiane, Lao PDR. meditrop@laopdr.com
authors.forename: Somphou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sayasone
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odermatt
authors.forename: Keomanivanh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khammanivong
authors.forename: Sisongkham
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phomluangsyl
authors.forename: Chau Van
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Vinhl
authors.forename: Htar Myint
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Thin
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strobeli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D001744:Urinary Bladder Calculi / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery