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Cholelithiasis in Down syndrome

Ming-Hua Chen1, Shyh-Jye Chen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Municipal Yang-Ming Hospital, Taiwan.

Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica = Taiwan Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi
|May 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a significantly higher risk of developing gallstones (cholelithiasis). Overweight and chromosome anomaly are identified as key risk factors, necessitating clinical awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cholelithiasis (gallstones) is rare in pediatric populations, affecting less than 0.5%.
  • Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with various health complications.
  • The association between DS and cholelithiasis in children and adolescents requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between Down syndrome and the prevalence of cholelithiasis.
  • To identify potential risk factors for gallstone disease in children and adolescents with DS.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, controlled study was conducted.
  • 51 children and adolescents with Down syndrome (age 11-20) were compared to 253 controls.
  • Risk factors including overweight and obesity were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Cholelithiasis was detected in 3.92% of the DS group, with 0% in the control group (p < 0.01).
  • Overweight and obesity prevalence was significantly higher in the DS group (83%) compared to controls (20%) (p < 0.01).
  • Chromosome anomaly and overweight were identified as significant risk factors for cholelithiasis.

Conclusions:

  • Children and adolescents with Down syndrome exhibit a significantly increased prevalence of cholelithiasis.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for gallstone disease in pediatric patients with DS.
  • Overweight and the underlying chromosome anomaly are critical risk factors to consider.

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