Gut Liver.  2015 May;9(3):388-394. 10.5009/gnl13414.

Sonographic Evaluation of Gallbladder Motility in Children with Chronic Functional Constipation

• Mehra R
• Sodhi KS
• Saxena A
• Thapa BR
• Khandelwal N

• KMID: 2155647
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl13414

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Studies in adults suggest that constipation may not be a purely colonic pathology and may be a component of a generalized gastrointestinal (GI) motor disorder in which proximal GI motility can be impaired. Pediatric data are scarce, and the natural history of the disorder remains undefined. We aimed to evaluate gallbladder motility in a subset of Asian children with chronic functional constipation.
METHODS
Abdominal ultrasound was performed on 105 children, including 55 patients (aged 3 to 13 years) with chronic functional constipation who met the inclusion criteria and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. The gallbladder contractility index was calculated based on the preprandial and postprandial gallbladder areas. Preprandial and postprandial values for gallbladder volume and wall thickness were evaluated.
RESULTS
The mean value of the contractility index for the patients (15.77+/-24.68) was significantly lower than the mean value for the controls (43.66+/-11.58) (p=0.001). The mean postprandial gallbladder volumes and areas were larger in children with gallbladder hypomotility (p<0.05). The mean duration of constipation (4.8 months) was significantly higher (p=0.004) in the children with gall-bladder hypomotility.
CONCLUSIONS
Gallbladder motility is significantly impaired in children with chronic functional constipation. This study contributes to the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, which will enable advancement in and improved management of children with chronic constipation and associated gallbladder hypomotility.

Keyword

Constipation; Gallbladder; Motility; Ultrasound; Children

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Case-Control Studies
Child
Child, Preschool
Chronic Disease
Constipation/physiopathology/*ultrasonography
Female
Gallbladder/physiopathology/*ultrasonography
Gallbladder Emptying/*physiology
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Time Factors