Kerosene Poisoning Complicated by Acute Pancreatitis

A 6-year-old male child patient was brought to the emergency pediatric room with alleged history of accidental ingestion of approximately 15 mL kerosene oil. The child developed vomiting shortly after the consumption. Chest radiograph taken 6 hours after ingestion did not show any abnormalities. On the second day of hospital stay, the patient started complaining of severe abdominal pain. His serum amylase and lipase levels were elevated significantly, suggesting the development of acute pancreatitis. He was investigated for the other possible causes of acute pancreatitis, which were normal. There is paucity of literature regarding occurrence of acute pancreatitis following kerosene poisoning, both in children, as well as adults, because of its rarity. A high index of suspicion should be kept in mind and a differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis should be considered in cases of acute kerosene poisoning, who complain of pain in abdomen.