The Etiology of Cholelithiasis in Children and Adolescents—A Literature Review

Abstract

The incidence of gallstone disease has increased in recent years. The pathogenesis of cholelithiasis is not fully understood. The occurrence of the disease is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This article reviews the literature on cholelithiasis in children, with the exception of articles on hematological causes of cholelithiasis and cholelithiasis surgery. The aim of this review is to present the latest research on the pathogenesis of gallstone disease in children. The paper discusses the influence of all factors known so far, such as genetic predisposition, age, infections, medications used, parenteral nutrition, and comorbidities, on the development of gallstone disease. The course of cholelithiasis in the pediatric population is complex, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Understanding the course of the disease and predisposing factors can result in a faster diagnosis of the disease and administration of appropriate treatment.

Cholelithiasis prevalence and risk factors in individuals with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities

“…Increased contents of specific sphingolipids might also elevate the risk of gallstone formation. Therefore, patients with SPIMD using nutritional supplements might be at a higher risk of developing gallstones (Zdanowicz et al 2022b).…”

“…Serum sphingolipids are potential biomarkers of cholelithiasis in children (Zdanowicz et al . 2022b). This biomarker might be useful as an early diagnostic tool for SPIMD populations because nutritional supplements for patients with SPIMD contain ingredients derived from milk and soy that are rich in sphingolipids.…”

“…Therefore, patients with SPIMD using nutritional supplements might be at a higher risk of developing gallstones (Zdanowicz et al . 2022b). Regarding enteral nutrition, gastrostomy and fundoplication did not significantly correlate between the groups.…”

Revisión bibliográfica: abordaje quirúrgico de las patologías de la vesícula biliar en niños

“…Por otra parte, los pacientes sintomáticos presentan dispepsia y cólico biliar causados principalmente por la obstrucción del conducto cístico. (Zdanowicz et al, 2022) Aunque las enfermedades hemolíticas son las causas más frecuentes de colelitiasis en niños, existen otros factores como la obesidad, el síndrome metabólico, la prematuridad, la enterocolitis necrotizante (ECN), las cardiopatías congénitas, la fibrosis quística, la nutrición parenteral, el uso de ciertos medicamentos y la estenosis anatómica de también se deben considerar los conductos biliares. (Karami et al, 2016) Los síntomas y complicaciones de la colelitiasis se producen cuando los cálculos obstruyen el conducto cístico, los conductos biliares o ambos.…”

The causal effects of thyroid function and lipids on cholelithiasis: A Mendelian randomization analysis

“…Cholelithiasis, a prevalent condition affecting approximately 10–20% of the global adult population, has experienced a recent upsurge in incidence ( 1 ). The association between cholelithiasis and the onset of the gallbladder, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers is well established ( 2 ).…”