BACKGROUND: Medical treatment of gallstones with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) 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. METHODS: 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 a 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.
BACKGROUND: Medical treatment of gallstones with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) 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. METHODS: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 a 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.