The gallbladder stones in childhood

The stones in the gallbladder (entity known scientifically as 'biliary lithiasis'), are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, and of varying size (can be from as small like a grain of rice up to the size of a golf ball). The gallstones not only occurs in adults. Since the generalization in the

The stones in the gallbladder (entity known scientifically as 'biliary lithiasis'), are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, and of varying size (can be from as small like a grain of rice up to the size of a golf ball).

The gallstones not only occurs in adults. Since the generalization in the use of certain diagnostic techniques, such as abdominal ultrasound, more and more cases are diagnosed in the pediatric age. Some studies claim that it could affect up to 2% of children.

How gallbladder stones affect children

We will describe some of the peculiarities of pediatric biliary lithiasis:

- Distribution by sex. In the first years of life both sexes are affected equally. In older children, female sex is preferentially affected.

- Characteristics of the calculations. There are two types: cholesterol (about 50%) and pigments (of these, most are brown and soft). They can be single or multiple, and their size is variable.

- Predisposing factors. Hemolytic diseases, parenteral nutrition, prematurity, Crohn's disease, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, obesity, cholestasis, etc. In most cases, even so, there is no factor that conditions them.

- Symptoms. It is usually asymptomatic. In some cases it appears: abdominal pain in the upper right part, discomfort related to digestion, nausea, vomiting.

- Diagnosis. It is done through an abdominal ultrasound.

- Treatment. If it produces symptoms, we must order an appropriate treatment. It can be used in specific cases ursodeoxycholic acid for 6 months (indicated if there are small radiolucent stones). Surgery is reserved for complicated cases.