Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
04:14

Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults

Published on: February 28, 2025

Gallstone disease in children

Jan Svensson1, Erica Makin

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital & Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
|July 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Gallstone disease in children is increasingly common, leading to more surgeries. This review covers causes, risk factors, and treatments for pediatric gallstones.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology and Surgery

Background:

  • Gallstone disease incidence in children has significantly risen over the past 30 years.
  • This increase is linked to improved diagnostics, changing disease patterns, and rising childhood obesity rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathophysiology, genetics, and predisposing factors of pediatric gallstones.
  • To summarize current and emerging medical and surgical treatment modalities for pediatric gallstone disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of gallstone disease in children.
  • Analysis of epidemiological trends and risk factors.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Surgical frequency for pediatric gallstones has markedly increased.
  • Childhood obesity and associated comorbidities are significant risk factors.
  • A range of medical and surgical options are available for treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric gallstone disease requires a comprehensive understanding of its evolving epidemiology and risk factors.
  • Management strategies are advancing, encompassing both medical and surgical approaches.

Related Concept Videos

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...
Gallbladder01:17

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that plays a crucial role in our digestive system. Measuring about 10 cm in length, it is comparable in size to a kiwi fruit and is located in a hollow area on the lower surface of the liver. The gallbladder's primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion.
The gallbladder's anatomy consists of three regions: the fundus, body, and neck. Extending from the neck, the cystic duct joins the common...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes: