The gallbladder is a small organ that sits below the liver. It stores bile (a liquid made of cholesterol, bile salts and water) that helps with digestion. When you eat, bile is secreted from the gallbladder into the intestines to help digest food. Gallstones occur when bile hardens in the gallbladder. These gallstones can block bile from getting released into the intestine.

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What are the signs and symptoms of gallstones?

In some cases, gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. If your child does have symptoms, they may include:

  • Pain in the right upper or upper middle part of the abdomen
  • Pain that more noticeably appears after eating fatty or greasy foods
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Please note there are many conditions that have similar symptoms. It’s important to see your child’s doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What causes gallstones?

Gallstones are not as common in children as they are in adults. But children may be more likely to develop gallstones if they:

  • Are obese or eat a diet high in fat
  • Have a blood disease such as sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia or hereditary spherocytosis
  • Have another condition such as cerebral palsy or Crohn’s disease
  • Take certain medicines, such as birth control pills
  • Have a family history of gallstones

How are gallstones treated?

If your child has no symptoms, they may not need treatment. For children with symptoms, treatments may include both non-surgical and surgical options.

  • Lifestyle changes:
    • Increasing physical activity 
    • Avoiding unhealthy fats like fried foods or desserts
    • Eating foods high in fiber including more whole grains, fruits and vegetables
  • Medication may be considered in some cases to help dissolve gallstones.

If your child’s symptoms do not get better with dietary changes, they may need to have their gallbladder removed by surgery. The surgical team at Connecticut Children’s uses minimally invasive procedures whenever possible.