Abstract
Objective
To assess the prevalence & incidence of biliary sludge and stones during pregnancy and to measure the changes in gallbladder volume.
Method and Material
The study was on 276 healthy pregnant females. Questionnaires were obtained at entry & gallbladder ultrasounds were done in each trimester & 2–4 weeks postpartum. Gallbladder volume was measured at each ultrasound.
Results
The incidence of biliary sludge and gallbladder stones during pregnancy was found to be 14.4% and 6.67% respectively. The prevalence of gallstone disease increased with advancing gestational age and the increase in gallbladder volume was also statistically significant (p≪0.001). At 2–4 weeks postpartum gallstones have disappeared in 15% while sludge disappeared in 38.7%. Amongst antenatal women with gallstone disease most were asymptomatic while itching was the commonest presenting symptom. A statistically significant correlation was found between gallstone disease and advanced age, high parity, prolonged breast feeding & raised BMI.
Conclusion
Biliary sludge and stones develop frequently during pregnancy and are usually asymptomatic.
Key words: gallbladder, biliary sludge, gallstones, ultrasonography
Full Text
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