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Cholelithiasis in a toddler with sickle cell disease
Dana Aronson Schinasi1, Rakesh D Mistry, Rakesh Mistry
1Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. aronsond@email.chop.edu
Pediatric Emergency Care
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Gallstones are uncommon in young children, even those with sickle cell anemia. This case highlights symptomatic gallstones in a toddler with sickle cell disease presenting with abdominal pain.
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.
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