Urinary stone disease in pediatric patients: a mixed-methods study

Aims: Childhood urinary stone disease (USSD) varies in frequency based on several factors such as, gender, age, body mass index, geography, diet, genetic disorders, and kidney anatomy. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, symptoms, diagnostic methods, predisposing factors, associated urinary system anomalies, treatments, and prognosis of patients diagnosed with USSD in our clinic over the past three years. Methods: This mixed-methods study retrospectively examined the records of 175 patients diagnosed with USSD between April 2020 and May 2023. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory results, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with 10 volunteer participants to understand the impact of symptoms on their lives. Results: Among the 175 pediatric patients diagnosed with urolithiasis, 120 (68.5%) were symptomatic, with common complaints such as irritability (29.1%), pain (18.2%), vomiting (23.4%), and macroscopic hematuria (20%). Significant differences were observed in symptoms based on age and stone size, with older children more likely to experience pain and hematuria, while younger children showed more irritability (p