Elevated amylase in childhood

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.