Acute Cholecystitis in Children: A Report of 58 Cases

Background: Acute Cholecystitis is uncommon in children. This study reports our experience of acute cholecystitis in children. Patients and Methods: It is a retrospective study of all the children managed in the National Hospital of Donka (Conakry), within a 6-year period (January 1998 to December 2003). The data analyzed included age, clinical features, laboratory features and outcome of management. Results: There were 58 patients with acute cholecystitis, (M:F=2:1). The most common causes of acute cholecystitis were Salmonella typhi organisms in 36 patients followed by stones in 8. Thirty four patients were treated non-operatively but cholecystectomy was carried out in 24 patients. The mortality rate was 10.34%. Conclusion: Salmonella and stones are the most common causes of childhood acute cholecystitis in Guinea Conakry. Acute cholecystitis is associated with significant mortality in children.