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Establishment of a Mouse Severe Acute Pancreatitis Model using Retrograde Injection of Sodium Taurocholate into the Biliopancreatic Duct
Published on: April 1, 2022
[Acute childhood pancreatitis caused by valproate]
Jasminka Jakobović1, Diana Butković, Ljiljana Popović
1Zavod za anesteziologiju, reanimatologiju i intenzivno lijecenje, Klinika za djecje bolesti Zagreb, Klaićeva 16, Zagreb. jjakobov@inet.hr
Insights
Pediatric pancreatitis shares symptoms with adults but often stems from drug side effects. Natrium valproate, an antiepileptic, can rarely cause this condition in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Pediatric pancreatitis presents similarly to adult cases, including abdominal pain and elevated amylase.
- While drug-induced pancreatitis is more common in children than adults, specific causative agents require identification.
Observation:
- A case of pancreatitis in a young girl with Rett's syndrome is presented.
- The patient was undergoing treatment with natrium valproate, a known, albeit rare, potential teratogen.
Findings:
- Natrium valproate, an antiepileptic medication, was identified as the likely cause of pancreatitis.
- Abdominal ultrasound findings were non-specific, necessitating further investigation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering medication side effects in pediatric pancreatitis diagnosis.
- Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is crucial for confirming suspected pancreatitis in children on valproate therapy when initial tests are inconclusive.
Abstract:
Signs of pancreatitis in children are simmilar to those in adults: disturbed general condition, abdominal pain, vomitting, elevated amylase level. Mainstays in intensive therapy and indications for surgical interventions are also sim-milar. Contrary to adults, in childhood pancreatitis adverse effects of various drugs are common causes. Natrium valproate, antiepileptic drug in use for many years, can rarely induce pancreatitis. We report of such case in a girl treated with valproate for Rett's syndrome. Abdominal ultrasound can be unspecific in acute pancreatitis. If clinical signs and amylases elevated in a child on valproate therapy do not suffice, abdominal computer tomography should be done to confirm the grounded suspicion.
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Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
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Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
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Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
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