GALLBLADDER VOLUME AND CONTRACTILITY IN TERM AND PRETERM NEONATES - NORMAL VALUES AND CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS IN ULTRASONOGRAPHY

The aim of this study was to establish the normal values and evaluate associated factors of gallbladder volume and contractility in term and preterm neonates by using ultrasonography. Sonographic measurement of gallbladder volume was performed by using the ellipsoid method in 50 preterm and 46 term infants. We collected data soon after delivery and at 6-h fasting, and at 3-h and 6-h fasting following regular milk fee ding. Serial postprandial changes of gallbladder volume and contractil ity were collected at 15-min intervals for one hour. Gallbladder contr action index (C.I.) was determined as percentage decrement of postpran dial size from initial size. Fasting gallbladder volume was larger in term group (p < 0.05). Term neonates more readily showed significant c ontraction (C.I. > 50%;p < 0.05). In preterm infants significant contr action was clearly observed at postconceptional age > 31 weeks or body weight > 1300 g. The presence of hepatobiliary diseases might be dete cted by evaluating serial changes of gallbladder volume and contractil ity under ultrasonography in the neonatal stage.