Researchers Find Kidney Stones Increasing Among Adolescents

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have found that kidney stones are increasing particularly among adolescents. In addition there is also a rise in women and African Americans.

In the past the people who were impacted by kidney stone have been mostly middle aged white men.  The researchers think the rise may be due to poor water intake and dietary habits such as an increase in sodium and decrease in calcium intake.

Dehydration, which is linked to stones, is related to both poor water intake and higher temperatures. The authors of this study produced a paper just one year ago linking an overall rise in kidney stones to climate change.