Cholelithiasis and ileal pathology in childhood.

Primary cholelithiasis is rare in childhood. A particular etiology has appeared over the last few years in connection with unusual physiological situations. Three cases of cholelithiasis after ileal atresia or resection are presented in children of 1, 1, and 7 yr. Another case is presented after abdominal irradiation for Wilms' tumor and ileal resection in a child of 7. The pathogenesis is discussed, raising the question of the interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts.