Gallstones in children with sickle cell disease followed up at a Brazilian hematology center.

BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease causes chronic and recurrent hemolysis which is a recognized risk factor for cholelithiasis. This complication occurs in 50% of adults with sickle cell disease. Surgery is the consensual therapy for symptomatic patients, but the surgical approach is still controversial in asymptomatic individuals. AIMS To determine the frequency and to describe and discuss the outcome of children with sickle cell disease complicated with gallstones followed up at a tertiary pediatric hematology center. METHODS In a retrospective and descriptive study, 225 charts were reviewed and data regarding patient outcome were recorded. RESULTS The prevalence of cholelithiasis was 45% and half the patients were asymptomatic. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of cholelithiasis and surgical treatment was 12.5 years (standard deviation = 5) and 14 years (standard deviation = 5.4), respectively. The prevalence of cholelithiasis was higher in patients with SS homozygous and Sb heterozygous thalassemia when compared to patients with sickle cell disease. In 50% of symptomatic patients, recurrent abdominal pain was the single or predominant symptom. Thirty-nine of 44 patients submitted to surgery reported symptom relief after the surgical procedure. Asymptomatic individuals who did not undergo surgical treatment were followed up for 7 years (standard deviation = 4.8), and none of them presented complications related to cholelithiasis during this period. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of cholelithiasis in the study population was 45%. One-third of the patients were diagnosed before 10 years of age. Patients with the SS homozygous or Sb heterozygous phenotype were at a higher risk for the development of cholelithiasis than patients with sickle cell disease. About 50% of patients with gallstones were asymptomatic, the most of them did not undergo surgery and did not present complications during a 7-year follow-up period. Cholecystectomy must be considered in symptomatic patients. In asymptomatic patients, conservative management seems to be the better choice.