Paediatric urolithiasis is increasing globally, with metabolic abnormalities as a key contributing factor. However, standardized protocols for metabolic evaluation in children are lacking. This study assessed current practices and knowledge among paediatric urologists worldwide. An international survey was distributed in Spanish and English, gathering data on clinician demographics and metabolic evaluation strategies. A total of 194 clinicians from 49 countries responded. Only 11% routinely performed metabolic evaluations, and while 78% requested stone analysis, just 46% ordered 24 -h urine studies. In 84% of cases, paediatric nephrologists were responsible for evaluations, with urologists involved in fewer than 25%. Knowledge of spot urine indices varied, and only 55% recognized crystalluria as a lithogenic risk factor. Fewer than one-third felt confident interpreting metabolic results or initiating treatment. These findings highlight inconsistent practices and limited involvement of paediatric urologists, underscoring the need for clearer guidelines and targeted education to enhance metabolic assessment in stone disease.
Actas urologicas espanolas. 2025 Aug 01 [Epub ahead of print]
Y Quiroz Madarriaga, M I Dönmez, R J M Lammers, B Bañuelos Marco, N Baydilli, E Bindi, S Sforza, I Selvi, L A Hoen
Unidad de Urología Pediátrica, Fundación Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: ., Departamento de Urología, Sección de Urología Pediátrica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Estambul, Estambul, Turkey., Departamento de Urología, Centro Médico Universitario de Groninga, Groninga, The Netherlands., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain., Departamento de Urología Pediátrica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey., Departamento de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil G. Salesi, AOU Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy., Departamento de Urología Pediátrica, Universidad de Florencia, Hospital Infantil Meyer, Florencia, Italy., Departamento de Urología, División de Urología Pediátrica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Estambul, Estambul, Turkey., Departamento de Urología Pediátrica, Centro Médico Erasmus, Róterdam, The Netherlands.