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Acute acalculous cholecystitis in a child returning from the Ivory Coast

Marie-Constance Anthoine-Milhomme1, Helene Chappuy, Gerard Chéron

  • 1Pediatric Emergency Department, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Université Paris, Paris, France. mcam1@free.fr

Pediatric Emergency Care
|April 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is rare in children. This case highlights Plasmodium falciparum malaria as a cause of AAC, emphasizing infectious etiologies in pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatobiliary Medicine

Background:

  • Acute cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, is infrequent in pediatric populations.
  • Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) lacks gallstones and often stems from diverse infectious or systemic causes.
  • Identifying specific infectious triggers for AAC in children is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old child presented with symptoms indicative of acute cholecystitis.
  • Diagnostic evaluation revealed no gallstones, classifying the condition as AAC.
  • The child was concurrently diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Findings:

  • The pediatric case of AAC was directly attributed to Plasmodium falciparum infection.
  • This finding underscores the potential of malaria to precipitate gallbladder inflammation in children.
  • The discussion encompasses various infectious etiologies contributing to AAC.

Implications:

  • Highlights Plasmodium falciparum as a potential cause of AAC in children, expanding the differential diagnosis.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering infectious agents, particularly in endemic regions for malaria.
  • Suggests further research into the mechanisms linking parasitic infections to pediatric AAC.

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