Is there a place for medical treatment in children with gallstones?
BACKGROUND
Medical treatment of gallstones with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) has not been evaluated in children.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of UDCA in the treatment of gallstones in children.


METHODS
UDCA was used to treat 15 patients, (7 boys and 8 girls; mean age, 7.8 years; range, 3 months to 15 years) for 1 year. All had radiolucent stones with a maximum diameter of 10 mm and a normally contractile gallbladder.


RESULTS
The stones disappeared completely in two children but returned later. All symptomatic patients became symptom free.


CONCLUSIONS
UDCA is ineffective in the treatment of gallstones in children except in terms of relieving symptoms while on treatment.
Gamba
P G
PG
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Padova, Italy.
Zancan
L
L
Midrio
P
P
Muraca
M
M
Vilei
M T
MT
Talenti
E
E
Guglielmi
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid