Urinary Stone Program

Children’s National Hospital has one of the only programs in the country dedicated to caring for children with urinary tract stone diseases.

The Urinary Stone Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists in Urology, Nephrology and nutrition to treat children affected by a wide range of conditions, including kidney stone, ureteral stones and bladder stones. Our team performs some of the most advanced surgeries available, using minimally invasive robotic procedures to remove stones from patients. Learn more about our treatments.

Understanding Urinary Stones

Urinary stones, generally composed of minerals like calcium and uric acid, are a common problem for adults but have historically been rare in children. During the past several years, however, they have become increasingly common in young patients — often found in areas with hot climates and dehydration. Children’s National specialists and the pediatric health community are concerned about the dramatic increase in children with stones because, among other complications, they can be extremely painful and adversely affect a child’s urinary tract health.

Education is Key to Stone Prevention

The Children’s National Urinary Stone Program emphasizes education for kids and their families about risk factors for kidney stone formation, because knowing how to minimize their risk is the best way to prevent them.

Because the condition affects every child differently, one of the clinic’s nephrologists meets with you and your child to go over the individual dietary and lifestyle factors that contributed to the condition and explains how to prevent future stones, often emphasizing staying well-hydrated. The nephrologist’s comprehensive evaluation includes a detailed history, nutritional evaluation and analysis of urine and blood to identify the most pertinent risk factors contributing to stone formation in each individual patient.