Gallstone prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease in an urban population of children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND

At present only a few sonography-based studies have assessed gallstone prevalence and associated risk factors in children and adolescents in randomly selected urban population samples. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of cholecystolithiasis and associated risk factors in children and adolescents.

METHODS

From a randomly selected urban population sample a total of 307 children and adolescents (157 girls, 150 boys; age 12 - 18 years, mean age 15.1 +/- 2.0 years) were studied using ultrasonography, standardized questionnaires and blood samples.

RESULTS

Three adolescents (one girl, two boys), corresponding to a prevalence of 1.0 %, showed gallstones. One 14-year-old girl and one 17-year-old boy were overweight using Cole's classification. A positive family history and female gender could not be confirmed as risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Obesity appears to be a risk factor in the development of gallstones in childhood and adolescence.