Incidence of ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder pseudolithiasis

We prospectively evaluated the incidence of gallbladder pseudolithiasis in children treated with high doses of ceftriaxone for a variety of serious in fections. We also monitored the time interval needed for this phenomenon to develop and resolve completely after initiation and cessation of treatment , respectively. Included in this study are 44 children treated with ceftria xone 100 mg/kg/d divided into 2 equal intravenous doses and followed by ser ial abdominal sonography. Eleven children developed pseudolithiasis of gall bladder 2-9 d after initiation of ceftriaxone therapy. Six children (54.5%) developed this complication within the first 3 d. Lithiasis completely res olved 8-23 d after the end of treatment. In conclusion, pseudolithiasis of the gallbladder developed in 25% of sick children and completely resolved i n all patients. Early development of this complication was not exceptional. It occurred in more than half of these children.