Kidney Stones in Children

The best treatment depends on your child’s condition. For example, most children can pass kidney stones without medical intervention. Sometimes drinking water and taking pain medicines will help your child pass a kidney stone. If an infection is the cause, the stones are large, or the stones are causing pain, additional treatment may be recommended to remove or reduce the size of the stones.

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy

This noninvasive outpatient procedure uses shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller pieces so they can pass out of your child’s body through the urine more easily. A sedative keeps your child comfortable and still while a special machine targets the shock to the precise location of the stones. 

Ureteroscopy

A ureteroscope is a small, thin tube with a tiny lens at its tip. It is inserted in your sedated child’s urinary tract and used to locate and remove the stone. We use a ureteroscope that's specifically designed for children's smaller anatomy, decreasing the risk of injury during the procedure.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Large kidney stones may require a minimally invasive procedure to remove them. A flexible tube called an endoscope is inserted through a small incision into your child’s back to remove the stone. 

Preventive Measures

The odds of future kidney stones increase once your child has had one. To prevent them from recurring, your child will be seen by a pediatric nephrologist who may prescribe medicines or recommend dietary changes to prevent recurrence. If your child’s diet caused the kidney stones, our dietitian will give you nutritional guidelines to follow and also explain how much and what types of liquids your child should drink for good health.