Does your child have a kidney stone?

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Texas Children's Kidney Stone Clinic provides comprehensive care for children and adolescents who have, previously had or currently have kidney stones.

Our multidisciplinary team of specialists includes a pediatric urologist, nephrologist and dietitian, who will evaluate all patients with a medical history, physical exam, laboratory evaluation and imaging tests. The types of imaging used in diagnosing and following kidney stones are ultrasounds, abdominal X-rays and CT scans. Our team works closely to treat current stone disease and to reduce the risk of forming any in the future. 

When given permission from parents, our team also collects patient data for research. We then make each patient’s information anonymous and analyze the data to help improve care for children with kidney stone disease.

Based on your child’s diagnosis, our doctors will recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Medical treatment for pain relief and when able to reduce stone formation. 
• Diet modification, such as increased water intake.
• Surgical intervention, when indicated, can be performed four different ways: All surgeries require general anesthesia. 
  • Shock wave lithotripsy: This method uses a machine to break the stone into tiny particles that can pass naturally. Multiple treatments may be needed to get rid of the entire stone burden.
  • Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy: This minimally-invasive procedure involves making an incision in the skin over the kidney to remove the stone. This procedure is used for large stones.
  • Ureteroscopic stone removal: In this procedure an instrument is placed through the urethra and bladder to the level of the stone; the stone is then either removed with a special instrument or is broken up with a laser so the fragments can pass. A small stent may be left in the ureter afterward for a short time to prevent blockage.
  • Laparoscopic or open surgery: In these procedures the stone is removed manually. 

At Texas Children’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, appointments are available on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, please call 832-822-3160.

At Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, appointments are available on the first Wednesday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. To make an appointment here, please call 832-227-2220.