الفهرس 
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Abstract
Although the incidence of urolithiasis in children is 2 to 3% in developed countries, it occurs more commonly in underdeveloped countries [8]. Children with urinary stone disease represent the high-risk group for stone recurrence [9], and up to 70% of pediatric stone formers will have recurrent stone disease [10]. Currently, SWL is the procedure of choice for treating most upper urinary tract calculi in the pediatric population. SWL monotherapy has superior success rates in children compared to adults [9]. The question of potential long-term effects of SWL on the developing kidney continues to be the subject of much discussion [12]. We can state based on our review of literature that sharp conclusions have yet to be made regarding long-term SWL-induced renal adverse effects, especially in pediatric patients for whom much less studies were dedicated in this respect relative to adults. In our opinion, improving the safety profile of SWL cannot be accomplished except by a comprehensive understanding of not only the exact pathophysiological effects of SWL, which may underlie potential irreversible consequences, but also the precise factors aggravating or ameliorating those effects and consequences. The present work was carried out as a contribution to that understanding.