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Acute pancreatitis in pediatrics: a systematic review of the literature
Eduardo Mekitarian Filho1, Werther Brunow de Carvalho, Felipe Duarte Silva
1Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. emf2002@uol.com.br
Insights
Acute pancreatitis in children is increasingly recognized, with common causes including biliary disease and trauma. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for better outcomes and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Pancreatology
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis in children is a growing concern.
- Increasing incidence reported in recent literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects of pediatric acute pancreatitis.
- To synthesize current knowledge on managing acute pancreatitis in children.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of MEDLINE and SciELO databases (last 5 years).
- Inclusion of relevant references from obtained texts.
Main Results:
- Key etiologies include biliary disease, drug-induced pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, and trauma; 30% idiopathic.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical, laboratory (acinar enzymes), and radiological findings.
- Initial management focuses on volume resuscitation, metabolic correction, and nutritional support; long-term complications and mortality are low compared to adults.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management improve outcomes and reduce complications.
- Further research needed on diagnostic criteria and nutritional therapy for pediatric pancreatitis.
Objective:
To describe the main epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of children with acute pancreatitis.
Sources:
Systematic review of MEDLINE and SciELO databases in the last 5 years on acute pancreatitis in children, as well as consultation of relevant references on the texts obtained.
Summary Of The Findings:
Cases of acute pancreatitis in children have received growing attention in recent years, and an increase in the number of cases has been reported in several studies. The main etiologies in children involve biliary disease, drug-induced pancreatitis, recurrent hereditary pancreatitis and trauma, and up to 30% of cases have no defined etiology. The diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical and laboratory aspects with the increase of acinar enzymes and radiologic tests. Initial support treatment, with proper volume replacement and correction of the metabolic disturbances, besides specific nutritional therapy, are the fundamental points in the handling of acute conditions. Long term complications are unusual, and mortality rates are inferior to the rates for the adult population.
Conclusion:
The early diagnosis and the appropriate handling can contribute to a better outcome for the child with pancreatitis and to prevent the immediate and late complications related to the disease. More studies are required to better explain aspects related to the clinical and radiological diagnosis of pancreatitis in children, as well as aspects related to the nutritional therapy for this age group.
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