Pancreatitis in children and adolescents

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Mark E Lowe1, Julia B Greer

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3755 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. mark.lowe@chp.edu

Current Gastroenterology Reports
|May 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing acute pancreatitis in children presents challenges due to varied symptoms and a lack of specific studies. Gallstones are a significant cause, and while generally mild, complications can arise.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Acute pancreatitis diagnosis in children faces clinical and methodological hurdles.
  • Pediatric acute pancreatitis is often misdiagnosed due to uncommonness and diverse symptoms.
  • Existing guidelines are primarily based on adult data, lacking pediatric validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight diagnostic challenges in pediatric acute pancreatitis.
  • To explore the role of gallstones and biliary disease in pediatric pancreatitis etiologies.
  • To discuss the incidence, presentation, and outcomes of acute pancreatitis in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical and methodological difficulties in pediatric acute pancreatitis diagnosis.
  • Analysis of the spectrum of etiologies, including gallstones and biliary disease.
  • Examination of disease presentation, complications (e.g., pseudocysts), and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Gallstones and biliary disease are increasingly recognized as significant causes of pediatric acute pancreatitis.
  • The condition is typically benign in children, but complications like pseudocysts can occur.
  • Fatalities are usually linked to systemic illness, not pancreatitis directly.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric acute pancreatitis requires tailored diagnostic and management strategies.
  • Further prospective studies are needed to establish pediatric-specific guidelines.
  • The rising incidence may be influenced by factors beyond improved diagnostics and awareness.

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