What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are solid deposits of digestive fluid in the gallbladder, a small organ that sits just below the liver. Although the condition is more common in adults, about 2 percent of children of children are diagnosed with gallstones. Another word for gallstones is cholelithiasis.
Many people have gallstones without realizing it. Sometimes, however, the gallbladder becomes inflamed or a gallstone moves into a duct or passageway, creating a blockage. When this happens, a child may have abdominal pain and nausea, vomiting and/or fever.
What problems can gallstones cause?
Children with gallstones may have:
- Pain from stones in the gallbladder (biliary colic)
- Infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
- Stones in the ducts draining the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile (choledocholithiasis)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
What are some symptoms of gallstones in children?
Gallstones do not always cause symptoms. However, children with gallstones may have pain in the upper right or middle part of the belly, just below the rib cage. The pain may feel sharp, crampy or dull and spread to the back or right shoulder. It may come and go, getting worse after eating—especially foods high in fat.
If a gallstone blocks a duct, a child may also have:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever, chills, or sweats
- Jaundice, which causes the whites of the eyes or skin to turn yellow
Conditions Treated
Doctors Availability
Dr. Geeta Kekre is attached with the different hospitals in Pune.
Call Us
You can make a call to Book an Appointment with Dr. Geeta Kekre the Best Paediatric Surgeon & Paediatric Urologist in Pune.
9619205178
Make an Appointment
Book an Appointment with Dr. Geeta Kekre she is the Best Paediatric Surgeon & Paediatric Urologist who specialises in Minimal Access Surgery for infants and children using Robotic surgery, Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy in Pune.