Dietary management of hypocitraturia in children with urolithiasis: results from a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#child #humans #potassium-citrate #urolithiasis #kidney-calculi

Dietary management of hypocitraturia in children with urolithiasis: results from a systematic review

Castellani et al., 2023 | World J Urol | Systematic Review

Citation

Castellani Daniele, Giulioni Carlo, ... Gauhar Vineet. Dietary management of hypocitraturia in children with urolithiasis: results from a systematic review. World J Urol. 2023-May;41(5):1243-1250. doi:10.1007/s00345-023-04282-6

Abstract

PURPOSE: Hypocitraturia is a low urinary excretion of citrate and a well-known risk factor for kidney stone development in children. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the dietary management of hypocitraturia in children with urolithiasis. METHODS: Literature search was performed on 30th September 2022 using Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Controlled Register of Trials. Studies were included if children with stones and hypocitraturia were managed with diet supplements. RESULTS: Six papers were included. Four studies evaluated the role of oral potassium citrate associated with high fluid intake on stone resolution and recurrence. Two studies assessed the impact of oral potassium citrate on long-term stone recurrence after percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy. All studies demonstrated that the association of potassium citrate and high fluid intake was well tolerated with no side effects and restored normal urine citrate excretion, allowed a reduction in stone size, and, following definitive treatments, was associated with a lower rate of stone regrowth and recurrence compared with controls. These effects were demonstrated across all pediatric ages. CONCLUSIONS: Our review infers that oral potassium citrate and high fluid assumption are safe and effective in restoring urine citrate excretion, treating and preventing stone recurrence with no serious adverse events, and should probably be the first-line treatment of pediatric patients with asymptomatic stones and hypocitraturia.

Key Findings

Six papers were included. Four studies evaluated the role of oral potassium citrate associated with high fluid intake on stone resolution and recurrence. Two studies assessed the impact of oral potassium citrate on long-term stone recurrence after percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy. All studies demonstrated that the association of potassium citrate and high fluid intake was well tolerated with no side effects and restored normal urine citrate excretion, allowed a reduction i

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population asymptomatic stones and hypocitraturia
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Urolithiasis
  • Kidney Calculi
  • Citric Acid
  • Citrates

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: potassium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09