Can Gallstones happen in Children

Gallstones

Although the fact is more than 98 percent of the Gallstones happen in adults, there is still 2 percents left meaning that children can also have it. However, the cause of pediatric gallstone is different from the adults which is caused by Cholesterol. On the other hand, the main cause is the explosion of blood cell specifically in patients diagnosed with blood diseases.

 

What caused the kids to have Gallstones?

 

    • The explosion of blood cell caused by thalassemia  or other blood diseases

 

    • The abnormality of the biliary tract

 

    • Obesity/ Genetically transferred from ancestors

 

    • The operation

 

    • The infusion of some nutrients or medicines through the veins

 

Is the symptom in children same as what happen in adults?

Normally, the symptoms can be similar to adults for example flatulence, indigestion as well as pain at the central of the chest after having food, which later spreads to the right shoulder after. Nevertheless, in case of obstructed biliary tract or obstructed bile duct next to the liver caused by the gallstone both can cause  liver inflammation which provided such symptoms for example, nausea, sweating, fever, jaundice, itching, pale-colored feces and dark-colored urines. Therefore, if the mentioned symptoms happen, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

 

How does doctor diagnose the disease?

In small children if there are no severe symptoms or an urgent case, a doctor usually provides an ultrasound to ensure whether there is a Gallstone or not. However, if they are at doubt of having Gallstones in the bile duct, for this case blood test is needed to recheck all the states of the liver and pancreas.

 

On the other hand, for older kids and adults, the doctor might insert a small camera through their mouths as well as a medical tube into the bile duct in order to x-ray whether there is a Gallstones or not. Including a treatment by pulling out the stone of the common bile duct.

When surgery is needed …

There are 2 types of surgeries; open-chest and minimally invasive surgery which the second method is more popular as it leaves less scar and risk of inflammation. In fact, 1-2 days of hospital stay, patients can go rest at home. At the same time,  for kids, they will be able to go back to school and live their lives normally after 1 week.

 

 

 

More Information, please contact
General Surgical Clinic
Phyathai 1 Hospital
Tel. 02-201-4600 ext. 2185, 2285