Fetal gallstones

Abstract

Three male fetuses examined sonographically in late gestation to assess growth and well-being were found to have evidence of gallbladder cholelithiasis. Postnatally, all three were asymptomatic but they had variable sonographic findings. In two, the abnormalities noted sonographically had resolved spontaneously by 6 weeks of age, but the third patient had a persistent gallbladder "calculus" at 6 months. All three boys, now aged 9 months to 4 years, remain well, with no evidence of biliary tract disease. Sonographic evidence of fetal gallbladder cholelithiasis may be found in late gestation, is more common among boys, and frequently is associated with benign spontaneous resolution.