Impact of Urinary Stone Disease on Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Pediatric urolithiasis is a rising health concern associated with significant physical and psychological burden. However, limited data exist regarding its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children.
 Objectives: To assess and compare HRQoL in pediatric patients with urinary stone disease (USD) versus healthy, age- and sex-matched controls using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQoL).
Patients and methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 100 children (50 with urinary stones, 50 healthy controls) aged 2–18 years were enrolled from Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center between April 2023 and April 2024. QoL was assessed using the Arabic version of the PedsQoL tool. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data were collected. Statistical analyses compared total and subdomain PedsQoL scores between groups and examined associations with demographic and stone characteristics.
Results: Children with urinary stones reported significantly lower scores across all QoL domains—physical, emotional, social, and school functioning—compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001 for all). Insignificant differences were found between QoL scores and stone characteristics (site, size, number, density) or demographic variables (age, sex, caregiver type).
Conclusions: Pediatric urinary stone disease is associated with substantial deterioration in HRQoL. These findings underscore the importance of integrating QoL assessment into routine evaluation and management of pediatric stone formers.