Nomogram of Common Bile Duct Diameter in Children from a Tertiary Care Center in Central India: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

A BSTRACT Background: Normal common bile duct (CBD) diameter measurements are essential to distinguish from pathological conditions. The size criteria used for adults do not apply to children. There are differences among studies reported from various geographic regions. There is a lack of literature, particularly from India. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Central India. A sample size of 96 was calculated using a sample size formula to estimate the population mean. Children aged from newborns to 15 years old with no hepatobiliary pathology who required ultrasonography were included. The GE Logiq S8 ultrasound machine (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA) was used to measure CBD diameter. Results: A total of 131 children were included, with a mean age of 6.05 ± 3.75 years (range: 1 month–14 years). The children were divided into three age groups: under 1 year ( n = 13; CBD diameter: 1.01 ± 0.36), 1–10 years ( n = 89; CBD diameter: 2.36 ± 0.94), and over 10 years ( n = 19; CBD diameter: 2.77 ± 0.87). There is a significant difference in CBD diameters among the age groups ( P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the 1–10 years and over 10 years groups ( P = 0.07). In addition, there is a correlation between liver span and CBD diameter ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The mean CBD diameter in children showed a positive correlation with age and liver span. This data can serve as a reference standard for CBD diameter in children, especially in Central India. It may aid in distinguishing pathologically dilated CBD.