Abstract
Background: Medical treatment of gallstones with ursodeoxycholic acid (UOCA) or chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) has not been evaluated in children. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of UDCA in the treatment of gallstones in children. Method: UDCA was used to treat 15 patients, (7 boys and 8 girls; mean age, 7.8 years; range, 3 months to 15 years) for 1 year. All had radiolucent stones with s maximum diameter of 10 mm and a normally contractile gallbladder. Results: The stones disappeared completely in two children but returned later. All symptomatic patients became symptom free. Conclusion: UDCA is ineffective in the treatment of gallstones in children except in terms of relieving symptoms while on treatment.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 476-478 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric Surgery |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 1997 |
Keywords
- bile acids
- chenodeoxycholic acid
- Cholelithiasis
- ursodeoxycholic acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery