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Gall bladder contractility in children with beta-thalassaemia

M R Nasr1, M Shaker, H Mahdy

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. drmonaramad2001@yahoo.com

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal = La Revue De Sante De La Mediterranee Orientale = Al-Majallah Al-Sihhiyah Li-Sharq Al-Mutawassit
|June 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with beta-thalassaemia show impaired gall bladder motility, with higher rates of gallstones. This suggests a link between beta-thalassaemia and gall bladder dysfunction, potentially influenced by disease duration and iron levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hematology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Beta-thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder prevalent in Egypt.
  • Gall bladder disease is a known complication in some chronic illnesses.
  • Asymptomatic patients require investigation for subclinical dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess gall bladder contractility in children with beta-thalassaemia.
  • To compare gall bladder function between beta-thalassaemia patients and healthy controls.
  • To identify factors associated with impaired gall bladder motility.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time ultrasonography was used to evaluate gall bladder function.
  • Measurements included fasting volume, residual volume, emptying time, and contraction index.
  • Study included 61 children with beta-thalassaemia and 51 age- and sex-matched controls.

Main Results:

  • 18.0% of beta-thalassaemia patients had gallstones; 6.6% had sludge.
  • Significant differences observed in gall bladder fasting volume, residual volume, emptying time, and contraction index compared to controls.
  • Impaired gall bladder motility was evident in beta-thalassaemia patients.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-thalassaemia is associated with impaired gall bladder motility.
  • Disease duration, serum ferritin, and total serum bilirubin levels may contribute to gall bladder dysfunction.
  • These findings highlight the need for monitoring gall bladder health in children with beta-thalassaemia.

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