Use of alpha-antagonist in the treatment of kidney stones in paediatric age: what evidence?

Key words: Paediatric urolithiasis, Alpha-antagonists, Review

Alpha-antagonists as an expulsive therapy for ureteral stones are widely recognized in adults. On the basis of the evidence in the literature, in children/adolescents with a kidney stone < 12 mm after the failure of the conventional therapy (hydration and painkilling therapy), it is possible to use alpha-antagonists to favour the expulsion of the stone in shorter time. This class of drugs has not shown important side effects, however clinical records are very few in Paediatrics. At the moment the level of this recommendation is low, therefore clinical randomised multicentric studies are advisable.