Prevalence of urolithiasis in children from the EMRO region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Urolithiasis in children is associated with high recurrence rates and complications, and its prevalence has been rising in recent decades due to metabolic and non-metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Methods: This systematic review was conducted using international databases, including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, covering available data up to the end of August 2024. The Cochran test and I² statistics were applied to assess study heterogeneity. Additional analyses were performed using STATA software version 14. Results: A total of 1,365 studies were reviewed, and 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of urinary stones in children was 2.34% (95% CI, 1.93–2.75). The highest prevalence rates were reported in Somalia (12.8% from one study), Pakistan (11.71% from four studies), and Turkey (9.28% from two studies). In contrast, the lowest prevalence rates were observed in Saudi Arabia (1.09% from one study), Egypt (3.48% from two studies), and Iran (4.45% from eight studies). Additionally, a non-significant decrease in the prevalence of urolithiasis was observed with increasing Human Development Index (HDI; Reg Coef = −2.60 [95% CI, −7.49 to 2.29]). Conclusion: This study highlights the relatively low prevalence of urinary stones in children across EMRO countries. Furthermore, factors such as income levels and HDI were shown to be relevant, providing valuable insights for both regional and global health authorities in improving the management, screening, and treatment of pediatric urolithiasis.