Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder is an organ that makes and stores bile, the fluid that helps digest food and drink. Gallbladder disease occurs when bile backs up in the gallbladder. The most common cause is gallstones, which can develop when the bile hardens and creates stones.

While gallbladder disease and gallstones are more common in adults, they are becoming more common in children and teens. Children or teens may be more likely to have gallstones if they:

• Are obese
• Eat a diet high in fat
• Have certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Crohn’s disease
• Have a blood disease such as sickle cell anemia or beta thalassemia
• Take certain medicines, such as birth control pills
• Have needed intravenous (IV) nutrition

In some cases, gallbladder disease may not cause any symptoms. But if children do have symptoms, they may include:

• Pain in the middle or upper right of the stomach area that may spread to the back or shoulder
• Stomach pain may be worse after eating fatty foods
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

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

The most common cause of gallbladder disease in children is gallstones.

Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for gallbladder disease. In some cases, the pain of gallstones may be managed by avoiding foods that cause pain, such as fatty or greasy foods. But the only consistent treatment for gallbladder disease involves surgery to remove the gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy. Whenever possible, our surgeons at Connecticut Children’s perform this surgery laparoscopically, using a few small incisions and a video camera.