Cholelithiasis in children with homozygous sickle cell anaemia in northern Nigeria.

The prevalence of gall stones was studied prospectively by abdominal ultrasound examination in 65 consecutive children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) aged 5-13 years, 35 males and 30 females, in Jos, northern Nigeria. The prevalence of cholelithiasis was 4.6%. This rate was similar to previous studies from southern Nigeria and higher than that reported in American children with SCA. The different dietary habits of children in southern and northern Nigeria appear not to play any role in the prevalence rate. None of the children followed up for more than 12 months had upper quadrant abdominal pain that warranted surgery.