What is gallbladder disease?
The gallbladder is a sac located next to the liver that stores and concentrates bile that is produced in the liver. Bile is released from the gallbladder following meals to help digest fat. Gallbladder diseases include inflammation, infection, or blockage of the gallbladder.
Common types of gallbladder diseases include:
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Gallstones
- Congenital defects of the gallbladder
- Sclerosing cholangitis
The most common symptom of these gallbladder diseases is pain in the upper right abdomen.
At The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, children with gallbladder disease are treated by hepatologists and gastroenterologists in the Biesecker Pediatric Liver Center and the Division of Gastroenterology (GI), Hepatology and Nutrition.
Resources to help
Fred and Suzanne Biesecker Pediatric Liver Center Resources
We created the resource list to help you find answers to your questions about liver disease and to better support you and your child.
Meet your team
Hepatologists and gastroenterologists with special expertise in liver disease work with our multidisciplinary team of professionals to provide the best care for your child.