Gallbladder symptoms in children : early symptoms for effective treatment
Cholecystitis is the inflammation of gallbladder and it can be either calculus or acalculus (gallstone related or not gallstone related). Gallbladder symptoms in children are due to gall bladder inflammation (cholecystitis) and chronic cholecystitis that is gallstones related is often the most common form occurring in about 50% of children.
And more than a third of children suffering from the gall bladder inflammation fall under age 11 with two-thirds in the age 11-20 bracket. Gallbladder symptoms without gallstones affect younger children.
While per se the gallbladder problems are not frequent among children, about half of children who have gall bladder issues present gallstones. But most children do not exhibit symptoms. Especially when the stones are too small the symptoms are hardly manifested in children of 10 years and more. But that said, even the small gall stones can be serious threat to the children.
Interestingly studies report that the cholecystitis is affecting girls more than boys especially after puberty. The reason the studies point is to the increased estrogen hormone during puberty in the girls. This can be correlated with list of side effects of oral contraceptive pills. Taking OCPs for long term may result in gallstones. However, before puberty both boys and girls are equally affected.
Family history of biliary disease increase risk of gallbladder symptoms in children. And the early gallbladder symptoms in children can help in effectively alleviating the pain. Abdominal pain that is localized to RUQ and radiating to the back to the shoulder blade is common symptom associated with the gallbladder disease. Vomiting is another symptom and intolerance to intake of fatty foods is another strong indication of the gallbladder concern.
Symptoms prevail until diagnosis of cholecystitis is done. Early gallbladder symptoms in children also include temperature and fever up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with nauseated feeling. The symptoms may last for some hours and if it is chronic may last for a couple of weeks too.
A blood test may reveal high levels of serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, although in some these may not be indicated.
An abdominal ultrasound scan is very effective to detect the presence of gallbladder disease. But if the disease is caused by stones which are smaller than 3mm diameter, then ultrasound is not an effective means of diagnosis.
The CCK stimulation test; however detects the function or dysfunction thereof of the gallbladder so it can be a conclusive test to detect gallbladder disease. The gallbladder symptoms in children mimic gastrointestinal symptoms, but for pain the in specified location.
The symptoms easily mistaken include fullness or bloating, chills and fever, nausea and vomiting. With the gallstones, pain comes on the right upper quadrant and often it worsens immediately post eating or even during deep breathing and the pain radiates to the right shoulder blade.
Detecting early gallbladder symptoms in children is the first right step to effectively treating it. Do not hesitate to discuss all the options with the physician and ask him to recommend the best one treatment for your child. To know more about gallbladder symptoms in children and treatment alternatives to please feel free to check here: http://www.