Diagnosis and therapy of acute urolithiasis caused by melamine contamination in infant formula milk

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of severe, acute urolithiasis in infants and toddlers, caused by melamine contamination in infant formula milk. The clinical data of 28 patients were collected and analyzed. Among the 28 patients, 17 patients received indwelling ureteral stents by cystoscopy (60.71%) and 5 patients received open surgery to extract calculi (17.86%). Four patients received catheterization or diuretic, anti-inflammatory or antispasmodic treatment (14.28%). Two patients underwent a second open surgery to extract calculi (7.14%). Eventually, the stones were eliminated from 23 patients and 5 patients had residual stones. In the 5 patients with residual stones, 3 patients had kidney stones, hydronephrosis or unilateral ureteral stones, resulting in urinary obstruction following surgery. Urolithiasis in infants and toddlers caused by melamine contamination was diagnosed, with common symptoms, including acute anuria, oliguria and dysurias. Ultrasonic inspection may be used to successfully examine urinary stones. Computed tomography (CT) scanning further detects the position of the stones and the degree of edema. Ureteral stenting via cystoscopy is a useful method, resulting in minimal trauma and a positive prognosis.