Risk for Urinary Stones with Melamine-Contaminated Formula

Exposure to high concentrations of melamine in infant formula is associated with nephrolithiasis, but the lack of urinary symptoms or abnormalities in children with nephrolithiasis is surprising.

A recent epidemic of nephrolithiasis in Chinese children led to the discovery of melamine contamination of powdered infant formula. Investigators in Beijing studied 589 children younger than 36 months who were screened (including laboratory measures and ultrasonography) for urinary tract stones at one hospital.

Overall, 50 children had urinary stones, 112 children had ultrasonographic opacities suggestive of stones, and 427 had no stones. Urinary stones were found in 19% of children exposed to formula with high levels of melamine (>500 ppm) for 30 days, in 6% of children exposed to moderate levels of melamine (<150 ppm), and in 5% of children with no reported exposure. Children with high levels of exposure were seven times as likely to have …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)