URINARY-TRACT STONES IN PREGNANCY

The occurrence of urinary tract calculi in a pregnant woman is one of the most dramatic and problematic set of concurrent conditions encount ered by obstetricians, urologists, family physicians, emergency room d octors, pediatricians, radiologists, and anesthesiologists. At the ver y least an inconvenience, it is also disruptive for the mother and fet us and their support systems. Although the incidence of urinary calcul i in pregnancy is low, pain resulting from urinary stones is the most common painful condition requiring hospitalization during pregnancy. I ndeed, aside; from first trimester nausea, urinary problems are the mo st common cause of trouble during pregnancy.(15, 29, 34, 38, 42) Urina ry tract calculi can precede the pregnancy, become problematic during the pregnancy, or present in the immediate postpartum period. Evaluati on and management decisions depend on the time and type of presentatio n. In this paper, we discuss the incidence and background; pertinent a natomic and physiologic changes during pregnancy; presentation and ini tial evaluation of urinary tract calculi, including radiographic studi es; and management of the pregnant woman with urinary tract stone dise ase.