Symptomatic cholilithiasis and cholecystectomyfor a 9-month-old infant: a case report

Abstract

Background: Symptomatic cholilithiasis is rare in children. Thus, a high degree of suspicion is required for diagnosis. Once a child is diagnosed with symptomatic cholilithiasis, cholecystectomy is required to relieve the symptoms and prevent complication.

Case Details: A 9-month-old infant from Addis Ababa presented to the Pediatric Department of ZewdituMemorial Hospital on January 30, 2015 with irritability, abdominal pain. On workup, she was found to have gall stones, and her condition was at last attributed to biliary colic after months of follow-up in the Department of Pediatrics. She underwent cholecystectomy on the 31^st of July 2015 and discharged with improved results. This is the first report of symptomatic cholilithiasis and cholecystectomy in Ethiopia at 9 months of age.

Conclusion: Cholilithiasis is rare in infants, and one should have a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Cholecystectomy should be done as in adults if symptomatic

Keywords: Infant, symptomatic, cholilithiasis, cholecystectomy