Is there an association between type 1 diabetes in children and Gallbladder stones formation?

A number of studies in adults have evaluated the prevalence of gallstones in the diabetic population and showed a significant association with type 1 diabetes [T1D] and type 2 diabetes. The pediatric literature is limited to a single small case series. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate for the presence of association between T1D in children and gallstones formation. Children diagnosed with T1D in a diabetic clinic have been examined for existence of gall bladder stone formation from November 2008 through November 2009. All have been subjected to the following: History, physical examination, blood tests [liver function tests, lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C]], and an ultrasound [US] of the gall bladder. One hundred and five children with T1D have been enrolled consecutively over a 1-year period: age ranged between 8 months and 15.5 years, 62 patients were females. The mean age at diagnosis was 6.3 +/- 2.9 years [range 0.85-11 years], mean duration of T1D was 2.2 +/- 2.1 years [range 0.2-8 years], mean body mass index was 16.5 +/- 3.4, mean HbA1c was 10.7 + - 2.4%, and 61.3% of patients had a HbA1c level >10%. The mean serum cholesterol was 4.16 +/- 0.75 mmol/L [normal 3.65-5.15 mmol/L] and mean serum triglyceride 1.02 +/- 1.3 mmol/L [normal 0-1.7 mmol/L]. Two patients had hyperlipidemia. US of the gallbladder did not show any case of gallstones or sludge formation. Data from our study do not show any association between T1D in children and gallstones formation, with diabetes duration of less than 8 years. The relatively short duration of diabetes and possibility that our study was underpowered might have been reasons for the absence of any association

[Gallblader sonographic abnormality following ceftriaxone treatment in children]

Considering the relatively wide application of ceftriaxone in pediatric infectious diseases and its side effects, this study was done to determine gallblader sonographic abnormality following ceftriaxone treatment in children. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 60 patients age 1 month up to 12 years in Besat hospital, Hamadan, Iran during 2007. The sonographic abnormal finding of gallbladder before ceftriaxone therapy and 5 days after therapy were recorded. In case of any abnormality in gallblader sonography was repeated twice a week in the first two weeks and afterward once a week up to disappearance of abnormalities. Gallblader sonographic abnormality were observed in 10 cases [16.5%]. Out of them, 8 and 2 patients had bile stone and bile sludge, respectivley. The patients did not show any clinical manifestations. There was no relation between age and sex with abnormal findings. Gallblader abnormality completely were disappeared in the worst cases by sixteen days. This study showed that the incidence of either gallstone or biliary sludge after treatment with ceftriaxone was 16.5% which is relatively similar to other studies

Prevalence of gall bladder stones among type 2 diabetic patients in Benghazi Libya: a case-control study

Diabetes mellitus and gall bladder stones are both common and costly diseases. Increasing age, female gender, overweight, familial history of the disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus is all associated with an increased risk of gallstones. Several studies from around the world reported an increased prevalence of gall bladder stones in patients with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to define the frequency of gall bladder stones among Libyan diabetics and to evaluate the possible associated risk factors in these patients. A case-control study was performed during 2007 at Benghazi Diabetes and endocrinology Center. The study involved 161 randomly selected type-2 diabetic patients under regular follow up at the center, and 166 age and sex matched non-diabetic outpatients at the 7th of October teaching hospital. Real-time abdominal ultrasound was performed by two radiologists to examine the abdomen after an overnight fast. Results: About 40% of the diabetic cohort had gall bladder stones as compared to 17.5% of non-diabetic patients. Females were significantly more affected than males. Patients with gall bladder stones were significantly older and had a significantly higher body mass index than those without stones. The prevalence of gallstones in Libyan diabetic patients is higher than the rates reported in other parts of the world. Libyan diabetic patients with gallstones tend to be older and more obese than those without gallstones. Duration of diabetes mellitus and type of treatment does not seem to influence the frequency of gall bladder stones among Libyan diabetics