Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in children.

Case reports of four children with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without clear-cut etiology are discussed. Symptoms in children are frequently not specific and do not readily suggest cholecystopathy. The diagnosis of cholecystitis and/or cholelithiasis should be considered in cases of children with vague, recurrent abdominal complaints, pyrexia, nausea and vomiting. In children presenting these symptoms, an X-ray survey of the abdomen is indicated in view of the increased possibility of demonstrating gall stones. No cause of this phenomenon could be demonstrated in our material, since routine analysis of calculi was not performed.