Cholelithiasis in a toddler with sickle cell disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Hematology

Background:

• Cholelithiasis (gallstones) is rare in pediatric populations, particularly in toddlers and school-aged children.
• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a known risk factor for cholelithiasis, though it is still uncommon in young SCD patients.

Observation:

• A toddler with sickle cell disease presented with acute abdominal pain.
• Common causes of abdominal pain in young children with sickle cell disease include vaso-occlusive pain crisis and splenic sequestration.

Findings:

• The toddler was diagnosed with symptomatic cholelithiasis.
• This case underscores that gallstones should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in young children with sickle cell disease.

Implications:

• Early recognition of cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease is crucial for timely management.
• This case expands the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in pediatric sickle cell disease patients.