NEONATAL CHOLELITHIASIS POSSIBLY DUE TO E SCHERICHIA-COLI INFECTION

Background.-Cholestasis associated with gallbladder lithiasis is quite uncommon in the neonate. We report such a case possibly due to bacter ial infection. Case report.-A 25 day-old neonate was admitted because he suffered from cholestatic jaundice associated with biological findi ngs of inflammation. Hepatic cellular function and transaminases were normal. Ultrasonography showed hepatomegaly and a 10 min diameter gall stone with sludge into the gallbladder. The patient was given cefotaxi me plus netilmicine. Soluble antigens for E coli were positive in the urine. Jaundice and inflammatory findings returned to normal with 10 d ays and ultrasonography was normal at the age of 20 months. Conclusion s.-Neonatal E coli infection could be responsible for gallstone format ion since E coli endotoxin may induce biliary stasis and favours litho genous action of bacterial glycoproteins.