GALLBLADDER HYPOCONTRACTILITY IN INFANTILE COLIC

We evaluated gallbladder contractility in 58 colicky infants and 57 ag e-matched controls. Gallbladder size was measured before and 1 h after feeding and the contraction index of the gallbladder was calculated. The results showed decreased contractility of the gallbladder in colic ky infants: mean contraction index in colicky infants was 56% (95% con fidence interval, 49-63%) and in controls 67% (61-73%). No difference was found in the fasting size of the gallbladder. Postprandial contrac tion was decreased in colicky infants examined in the evening (n = 14) compared with those examined in the morning (n = 44). Decreased contr action of the gallbladder was found in those colicky infants who prese nted colicky cry compared with colicky infants without symptoms at the time of examination. No structural abnormalities were found in the ge neral abdominal survey. In conclusion, infants with colic have hypocon tractility of the gallbladder. This indicates abnormal biliary tract p hysiology in association with infantile colic.