Etiology and incidence of pediatric gallbladder disease

Purpose: The spectrum of pediatric biliary tract disease is changing. The goal of this study was to examine the causes and comorbidities of pediatric gallbladder disease at our institution.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on consecutive patient at Kosair Children's Hospital who underwent cholecystectomy over a 9-year time period ending in 2012.

Results: Among the 453 patients in the study group, the average age was 13.3 years and 67.2% were female. Indications for cholecystectomy were gallstones in 285 (63%) and biliary dyskinesia in 140 (33%). Of the patients with gallstones, 68 children (15%) had hemolytic disease. Although the number of cholecystectomies for hemolytic disease was relatively stable throughout our study, the number for biliary dyskinesia and non-hemolytic (cholesterol) cholelithiasis rose by 63% and 216%, respectively. Average body mass index (BMI) for patients with non-hemolytic (cholesterol) stones and biliary dyskinesia were significantly greater than the average BMI for patients with hemolytic stones (P < .0001). In addition, the average BMI for children with non-hemolytic (cholesterol) stones was greater than the average BMI with biliary dyskinesia (P < .0001).

Conclusion: Symptomatic gallbladder disease increased over the study period. Biliary dyskinesia and children with non-hemolytic disease are responsible for this increase.