Prevalence of Cholecystitis and cholelithiasis in children with - thalassemia

Summary and ConclusionIn a trial to study the prevelance of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis in beta-thalassemic children, fifty three beta-thalassemic children and thirty healthy sex and age-matched children were studied. This work was conducted in the Paediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University during the period from January to July 2010 .All children were subjected to a detailed history, clinical examination, patients’ medical records review , laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasonographic examination .Our results revealed that the prevalence of gallbladder wall thickness and gallbladder sludge and or stones was significantly high among our beta-thalassemic patients. Therefore, all demographic, clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and transfusion / chelation data in these children were studied.The mean age of beta- thalassemic patients with sludge and stones was significantly higher than that of the other thalassemic patients and controls. However, there was no significant difference regarding the sex, weight or height.