Gallstone cases among children on rise; early detection, lifestyle changes important: Experts

Once considered an adult ailment gallstones are increasingly affecting children across India prompting paediatricians to call for greater awareness and preventive careIn a surprising shift in pediatric health trends hospitals and clinics across India are reporting a steady rise in cases of gallstones among children experts saidTraditionally viewed as a condition affecting middleaged adults gallstones are now being diagnosed in children as young as six raising concerns among medical professionals and public health expertsGallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder often composed of cholesterol or bilirubin While many cases remain asymptomatic they can cause intense abdominal pain nausea vomiting and digestive distress when they obstruct bile flowWere seeing a clear increase in pediatric gallstone cases especially in urban centres said Dr Shandip Kumar Sinha the director of pediatric surgery and pediatric urology at MednataThe Medicity in GurugramThe causes are multifactorial ranging from obesity and poor dietary habits to genetic predisposition and certain blood disorders like thalassemia he saidAccording to Dr Sinha the condition is often overlooked due to its vague symptoms Children may complain of stomach aches or refuse food and parents assume its a routine digestive issue But persistent or recurring pain in the upper abdomen should never be ignoredA recent survey conducted by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics IAP across five metropolitan cities found that nearly one in 200 children admitted for abdominal pain had gallstones The prevalence was notably higher among children with sedentary lifestyles and diets high in processed foods and saturated fatsDr Raman Kumar Chairman Academy of Family Physicians of India emphasised the importance of timely diagnosisUltrasound is a safe and effective tool for detecting gallstones In many cases we can manage the condition with medication and dietary changes especially in asymptomatic children But when complications such as gallbladder inflammation or pancreatitis arise surgery may be necessary the doctor saidIn symptomatic cases and in children with complications laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard procedure However complexities arise in asymptomatic children where an ultrasound has been done for nonspecific symptoms and gallstones are diagnosedAccording to Dr Sinha watchful waiting or surgery are the options for asymptomatic childrenParents need to understand the risk of complications arising during this waiting period and informed decisions based on mutual understanding need to be taken Many parents do not want to take the risk of complications such as jaundice pancreatitis and instead opt for early surgery he saidDr Sinha added that laparoscopic cholecystectomy a minimally invasive procedure to remove the gallbladder is safe for children and often results in quick recoveryPaediatricians are now advocating for greater awareness among parents schools and community health workers Key preventive measures include encouraging a balanced diet rich in fibre fruits and vegetables and limiting intake of junk food sugary beverages and saturated fatsThey are also promoting regular physical activity and reducing screen time and routine health checkups especially for children with a family history of gallstones or metabolic disorders This is a wakeup call for all of us said Dr SinhaChildrens health is shaped not just by genetics but by the environment we create for them Its time we take a closer look at what they eat how active they are and how quickly we respond to their health complaints he addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever