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Elevated amylase in childhood
Alan J Howieson1, Gordon A Mackinlay
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, UK. alanjhowieson@hotmail.com
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|July 11, 2006
Summary
A pediatric patient presented with acute abdomen and high serum amylase. Subsequent observation revealed an inflamed parotid gland, suggesting a rare cause of elevated amylase in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute abdomen in children is a common presentation requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Elevated serum amylase levels can indicate various intra-abdominal pathologies.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old boy presented with acute abdomen, showing benign clinical signs.
- Initial investigations revealed an extremely high serum amylase titre.
Findings:
- The patient was managed conservatively with observation.
- An inflamed parotid gland was subsequently identified as the likely source of the elevated amylase.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering parotitis as a differential diagnosis for elevated serum amylase in pediatric acute abdomen.
- Accurate diagnosis can prevent unnecessary invasive investigations and guide appropriate management.