Gallstones In Children: Signs Of Identification And Treatment

Gallstones are stones that form in the bile. Gallstones are not common in children but are at high risk for some special subjects. Gallbladder stones in children are more dangerous than adults, so they need to be detected and treated promptly.
Pebbles are the result of a buildup of substances like cholesterol, fat, salt and protein or may also contain bilirubin. The liver produces bile that is stored in the gallbladder and then empty into the small intestine to aid in digestion of food

. Once gallstones are formed, they will prevent the normal flow of bile and cause obstruction, which causes bile to become inflamed and affect the digestive process.
Gallbladder stones in children
Cholesterol stones account for about 25% in children (this rate in adults is 75%);
Black pigment stones account for nearly 50% of gallstones in children. They are formed when bile becomes saturated with calcium bilirubin and is usually formed in some blood disorders;
Calcium carbonate stones make up about 25% of gallstones in children (rare in adults);
Protein gallstones: about 5% of children suffer from
Illustration of gallbladder cholesterol stones
Symptoms of gallstones gall in children
Children
Sometimes gallstones do not cause symptoms or are difficult to identify due to a young child.




The most common is abdominal pain, especially after meals, which causes children to squirm and cry for unknown reasons.
Nausea and vomiting can occur, causing milk and food.
But the good news is that not many children have gallstones, so parents don't need to be so worried.
Older children
For older children who can describe how they feel, the symptoms below are similar to those caused by gallbladder stones.
The child has pain in the upper right abdomen or in the upper middle;
Pain that extends behind or between the shoulder blades;
Pain like cramps, pain that stops and then aches after every meal;
Pain that gets stronger after eating fatty or oily foods;
Nausea and vomiting children;
Child has fever, chills or sweating;
Jaundice, yellow eyes.
Causes of gallbladder stones in children
In children, the cause of formation of gallstones is not clear. However, the following children have higher risk factors than normal children:
Inherited red blood cell disorders: such as sickle cell disease or spherocytosis;
Children are obese;
Children with a family history of gallstones;
Children have to use many drugs or parenteral nutrition for a long time;
Children with Crohn's disease;
Children with kidney failure, prolonged fasting and strong weight loss;
Obese children are at a higher risk of developing gallstones
Methods of diagnosis of gallbladder stones in children
Gallstones and gallbladder disorders are usually diagnosed by the following methods:
Supersonic;
Computerized tomography (CT) scan;
Endoscopic cholangioscopy (ERCP) allows the diagnosis, evaluation and sometimes treatment of liver, gallbladder, bile and pancreas problems This method combines X-rays and uses endoscopes;
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRCP): This technique uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the bile ducts and pancreas and detect if there is gallstones in the ducts around the gallbladder;
DISIDA (hepatobiliary) scan: also known as a liver scan is a test of the gallbladder and the biliary system (the duct that connects the gallbladder to the liver and small intestine).



The method that uses contrast medicine.
Treatment of gallstones gall in children
Treatment of gallstones with stones may have several methods as follows:
Endoscopic surgery is less invasive
In most cases, the surgeon can remove the gallbladder with laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery.
This method helps remove gall bladder with minimal scarring, pain, and quick recovery time.
After laparoscopic surgery, your child may need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days to follow up. After children return home, they need to limit activities for a few days, following the doctor's instructions.
Open surgery
In rare cases, children need open surgery (with a large incision) instead of laparoscopic surgery.
This method makes children recover longer. Usually applied to children who have had surgery or have problems that cannot be laparoscopic.




After open surgery, the child stays in the hospital for 2 to 7 days for follow-up and needs to limit activities for a few weeks to quickly recover.
At the same time, children should be kept clean and dry incisions, following the instructions of the doctor.
Lithotripsy with retrograde cholangioscopy
In some cases, children have retrograde cholangioscopy for ERCP lithotripsy.
ERCP usually helps prevent children from having a surgery.
About 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, your child needs a follow-up visit to evaluate the status of recovery.
Extracorporeal lithotripsy is an advanced method of treating gallstones
Children without gallbladder okay?
If the child does not have a gallbladder, the bile will only flow from the liver directly into the small intestine.
Children can still eat normally and resume normal activities after gallbladder removal.
The most common symptom after gallbladder removal is loose stools, especially after eating a high-fat meal.



Children after gallbladder removal surgery are recommended a healthy diet low in fat and spices like salt sugar.
Prevention of gallstones stones in children
There are many ways to easily prevent the formation of gallstones in children. This is achievable.

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