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Clinical Characteristics and Risk factors of Acute Pancreatitis in Paediatric Patients in Oman: An 11-year experience
Shurooq S Al Shereiqi1, Aisha Al Fudhaili2,3, Dafalla Rahmatalla2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, Oman Medical Speciality Board, Muscat, Oman.
Insights
Pediatric acute pancreatitis (AP) is rising. In Oman, toxic/metabolic factors were most common in children with AP, with most patients recovering well after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis (AP) incidence in children has risen globally.
- Limited data exists on pediatric AP in Oman.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe risk factors and characteristics of pediatric AP in Oman.
- To analyze management and outcomes of acute pancreatitis in Omani children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of children (<14 years) treated for AP.
- Data collected from January 2010 to December 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.
- Review of case presentations, etiology, management, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 55 pediatric AP cases identified over 11 years.
- Toxic/metabolic factors were the leading cause (49.1%).
- Abdominal pain was the primary symptom (76.4%); most patients (74.5%) received conservative treatment and 51/55 fully recovered.
Conclusions:
- Toxic/metabolic factors are significant in Omani pediatric AP.
- Most children experience good outcomes with current management.
- Further multicenter, prospective studies are needed to refine treatment guidelines.
Objectives:
The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the paediatric population has increased over the past two decades, with an estimated annual rate of 0.78 per 100,000 children. This study aimed to describe the risk factors and characteristics of AP in Omani children.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including all children <14 years who were admitted and treated with AP at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, from January 2010 to December 2020. Case presentations, aetiology, management, and outcomes were reviewed.
Results:
During the 11-year study period, 55 cases were identified (male: female, 1.2:1). The most frequently reported risk factors were toxic/metabolic (49.1%). Abdominal pain was the predominant symptom (76.4%). Conservative treatment was administered in 74.5% of cases, while the remaining patients required surgery or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Of the 55 patients, 51 fully recovered. The number of risk factors per case was not associated with patient outcomes or length of hospital stay.
Conclusion:
Future multicentre and prospective studies with comprehensive data collection are crucial to further understand paediatric AP in Oman and inform potential modifications to treatment guidelines.
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