Gallstone Prevalence and Risk Factors for Gallstone Disease in an Urban Population of Children and Adolescents

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Derzeit existieren nur wenige sonografische Untersuchungen zur Gallenblasensteinprävalenz und Risikofaktoren bei Kindern und Jugendlichen aus zufälligen repräsentativen Bevölkerungsstichproben. Ziel der Studie war es, dies an einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsstichprobe zu untersuchen. Methode: Aus einer zufälligen Bevölkerungsstichprobe wurden 307 Kinder und Jugendliche (157 Mädchen, 150 Jungen; Alter 12 – 18 Jahre, mittleres Alter 15,1 ± 2 Jahre), prospektiv sonografisch, mittels standardisiertem Fragebogen und einer Blutentnahme untersucht. Ergebnisse: Bei 3 Jugendlichen (1 Mädchen, 2 Jungen), entsprechend einer Prävalenz von 1 %, wurden Gallenblasensteine nachgewiesen. Unter Anwendung der Cole-Klassifikation waren ein 14-jähriges Mädchen und ein 17-jähriger Junge übergewichtig. Eine positive Familienanamnese und weibliches Geschlecht konnten als Risikofaktoren nicht bestätigt werden. Schlussfolgerung: Adipositas scheint ein Risikofaktor für die Gallenblasensteinbildung auch im Kindes- und Jugendalter zu sein.

Abstract

Background: At present only a few sonography-based studies have assessed gallstone prevalence and associated risk factors in children and adolescents in randomly selected urban population samples. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of cholecystolithiasis and associated risk factors in children and adolescents. Methods: From a randomly selected urban population sample a total of 307 children and adolescents (157 girls, 150 boys; age 12 – 18 years, mean age 15.1 ± 2.0 years) were studied using ultrasonography, standardized questionnaires and blood samples. Results: Three adolescents (one girl, two boys), corresponding to a prevalence of 1.0 %, showed gallstones. One 14-year-old girl and one 17-year-old boy were overweight using Cole’s classification. A positive family history and female gender could not be confirmed as risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity appears to be a risk factor in the development of gallstones in childhood and adolescence.

Gallenblasensteinkrankheit - Adipositas - Ultraschall - Prävalenz - Risikofaktor - Kinder

gallstone disease - obesity - ultrasonography - prevalence - risk factors - children

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