Effects of Potassium Citrate in Urine of Children With Elevated Calcium in Urine and Kidney Stones
Status:
Withdrawn
Trial end date:
2007-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
High amounts of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria) can cause development of kidney stones
in children. Treatment for these children includes plenty of fluids, a low-salt diet and
medications such as potassium citrate. A major advantage of potassium citrate, as compared to
hydrochlorothiazide, is its lack of side effects. One problem the researchers and others have
observed is that some children continue to form kidney stones despite correction of
hypercalciuria with potassium citrate. One possible explanation is that in some individuals
potassium citrate therapy results in an excessive elevation of urine pH, a situation that may
predispose to calcium phosphate stone formation. In this study, the researchers will study
the effects of potassium citrate on urine chemistries and acid-base balance in three groups
of children aged 5-17 years:
- children who are hypercalciuric stone formers;
- healthy children without a history of hypercalciuria or kidney stones.
Particular attention will be paid to try to identify those who develop a very high urine pH
(>8) and the factors leading to this metabolic reaction.
The researchers will try to learn whether it is the child's characteristics, the disease
manifestations, the dose of the drug, or a combination of the above which may be the cause of
the development of very alkaline urine. Based on the results, the researchers hope to be able
to better "tailor" the individual treatment for each child with kidney stones.