Urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, citrate, oxalate, and uric acid by healthy schoolchildren using a 12-h collection protocol.

BACKGROUND

Improving knowledge about normal urine composition in children is important for early prevention of lithiasis. We describe urinary excretion values of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphate (P), citrate (Cit), uric acid (Ur), and oxalate (Ox) in healthy children with and without a family history of lithiasis, using a 12-h urine collection protocol.

METHODS

Urine samples were obtained from 184 children (5-12 years): a spot sample collected in the afternoon, and a 12-h overnight sample. Solute/creatinine (Cr) and 12-h solute excretion was calculated.

RESULTS

Urinary excretion values of the studied solutes are presented as percentile values, separately for each type of sample. Due to age-related differences in the solute/creatinine ratios, except for Ca and Cit, results are described according to the child's age. The presence of excretion values related to an increased risk of lithiasis was more common in children with a family history.

CONCLUSIONS

We report data from urine samples collected by using a simplified collection protocol. The observed differences between children with and without a family history of lithiasis could justify that in population studies aimed at setting reference values, the former are excluded.