title: The prevalence of cholelithiasis in sickle cell disease as diagnosed by ultrasound and cholecystography.
abstract: Gallbladder disease is known to be increased in sickle cell disease (SS). The prevalence of cholelithiasis in children with SS has been reported as 10% to 37%. Gallbladder ultrasound, cholecystography, and/or abdominal radiography were used to evaluate 31 patients aged 2 to 18 years with no systematic evidence of gallbladder disease for cholelithiasis, Overall prevalence of gallstones was found to be 29%. Cholelithiasis was detected in children as young as 4 years of age. Prevalence below the age of 10 years and above the age of 10 years was found to be 11% and 55% respectively. The increased prevalence of cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease suggests the use of diagnostic ultrasonography as a routine screening procedure.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002758:Cholangiography; D002765:Cholecystography; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D012156:Reticulocytes; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins