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Gallbladder Symptoms in Children

Children might experience a gallbladder attack when the gallbladder becomes inflamed. This inflammation occurs when the flow of bile in the cyctic duct is blocked by a gallstone. This condition is called cholecystitis. Sometimes this condition occurs after a child has had a viral or bacterial infection.

  1. Sudden Onset

    • A gallbladder attack begins suddenly with no warning.

    Pain

    • The child will usually experience pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. The pain will reach its peak after 15 to 60 minutes and remain persistent until the attack is over. Pain might also be felt in the shoulder and back.

    Fever

    • Children experiencing a gallbladder attack will sometimes have a fever. According to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library (see Resources), one-third of those having an attack have a fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Nausea

    • Children might feel nauseated during a gallbladder attack.

    Time Frame

    • A gallbladder attack might be over in a few hours or might last two to three days. Usually, most attacks last within a week.

    Treatment

    • Many times no treatment is needed. If the problem persists, surgery might be needed to either remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

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