Pediatric acute cholecystitis: Risk factors and outcomes.
Sathyaprasad C Burjonrappa1, Faith Blamon2, Sean P Hurley2
1Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States. sb2058@rwjms.rutgers.edu.
World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Pediatric acute cholecystitis is increasingly common, especially in obese children. Early surgery for acute cholecystitis in children significantly reduces hospital stays and complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric acute cholecystitis is a growing concern.
- Rising childhood obesity rates are linked to metabolic abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify risk factors for pediatric acute cholecystitis.
- Evaluate surgical outcomes and complication impacts.
- Analyze hospitalization duration and readmission rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 12,750 pediatric patients from a national database (2022).
- Analysis included demographics, clinical presentation, BMI, complications, and surgical details.
- Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used.
Main Results:
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) affected 36.3% of patients.
- Complication rates included gallbladder perforation (8%), biliary abscess (5%), and sepsis (2%).
- Early cholecystectomy (< 2 days) resulted in shorter hospital stays (1 day) and lower readmissions (5%) compared to delayed surgery.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric acute cholecystitis is linked to obesity, necessitating early surgical intervention.
- Early surgery reduces complications and hospitalization.
- Pediatric-specific guidelines and addressing healthcare disparities are crucial.
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