CHOLELITHIASIS IN INFANTS WITH DOWN-SYNDROME - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder most often observed in the new born period. Various facial, limb and internal abnormalities are found in this disorder but cholelithiasis in infancy has been described in only one report. We report two infants with Down syndrome associated w ith cholelithiasis. Except for polycythemia and indirect hyperbilirubi nemia, no hemolytic process or biochemical abnormalities were evident in both patients. We believe that the cause of gallstones in our cases may have been polycythemia in the newborn period. To our knowledge th is is only the second report of gallstones in infancy in Down syndrome .