Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
Published on: June 12, 2017
Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children
Dimitri Poddighe1, Vitaliy Sazonov1
1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
Insights
Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in children often occurs without gallstones, frequently linked to viral infections and chronic immune disorders. This review covers its epidemiology, causes, and management in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is gallbladder inflammation without gallstones.
- AAC accounts for 50-70% of pediatric acute cholecystitis cases.
- Historically seen in critically ill patients, pediatric AAC is now linked to infections and chronic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of pediatric AAC.
- To discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of AAC in children.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of reported pediatric AAC cases.
- Analysis of epidemiological data, causes, and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Pediatric AAC is frequently associated with viral infections (EBV, HAV).
- Underlying chronic diseases, especially immune-mediated disorders, are implicated.
- Management strategies are discussed based on literature findings.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric AAC has diverse etiologies, including infections and immune disorders.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for effective clinical management.
- Further research may elucidate specific pathogenic mechanisms and optimize treatment.
Abstract:
Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is the inflammatory disease of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. AAC is estimated to represent at least 50% to 70% of all cases of acute cholecystitis during childhood. Although this pathology was originally described in critically ill or post-surgical patients, most pediatric cases have been observed during several infectious diseases. In addition to cases caused by bacterial and parasitic infections, most pediatric reports after 2000 described children developing AAC during viral illnesses (such as Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis A virus infections). Moreover, some pediatric cases have been associated with several underlying chronic diseases and, in particular, with immune-mediated disorders. Here, we review the epidemiological aspects of pediatric AAC, and we discuss etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management, according to the cases reported in the medical literature.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...