Sonographic evaluation of gallbladder motility in children with chronic functional constipation

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Rakesh Mehra1, Kushaljit Singh Sodhi1, Akshay Saxena2

  • 1Department of Radio Diagnosis, Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.

Gut and Liver
|August 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Gallbladder motility is impaired in children with chronic functional constipation, suggesting a generalized gastrointestinal motor disorder. This finding aids in understanding and managing pediatric constipation and related gallbladder issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
  • Gallbladder Physiology

Background:

  • Adult studies suggest constipation may involve generalized gastrointestinal (GI) motor dysfunction.
  • Pediatric data on GI motility in constipation are limited.
  • The natural history of pediatric constipation as a GI motor disorder is undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gallbladder motility in Asian children diagnosed with chronic functional constipation.
  • To determine if gallbladder contractility is altered in pediatric functional constipation.

Main Methods:

  • Abdominal ultrasound was used to assess gallbladder function in 55 children with chronic functional constipation and 50 healthy controls.
  • The gallbladder contractility index was calculated using preprandial and postprandial measurements.
  • Gallbladder volume and wall thickness were also evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Children with chronic functional constipation exhibited significantly lower gallbladder contractility index values compared to controls (p=0.001).
  • Patients with gallbladder hypomotility had larger mean postprandial gallbladder volumes and areas (p<0.05).
  • A longer duration of constipation correlated with gallbladder hypomotility (p=0.004).

Conclusions:

  • Gallbladder motility is significantly impaired in children experiencing chronic functional constipation.
  • This impairment suggests a potential generalized GI motor disorder in affected children.
  • Findings contribute to understanding pathophysiology and improving management of pediatric constipation with associated gallbladder dysfunction.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenConstipationGallbladderMotilityUltrasound

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