Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy: maternal and fetal outcomes in a five-case series

Pregnancy-related acute pancreatitis (AP) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition for both the mother and the fetus. The most frequent causes are biliary lithiasis and hypertriglyceridemia, while idiopathic and other causes are less common. This case series reports five cases of AP during pregnancy, highlighting the clinical presentation, etiology, management, and outcomes. The series included biliary AP (n=2), hypertriglyceridemia-induced AP (n=1), and idiopathic AP (n=2, including one with persistent symptoms). Maternal age ranged from 24 to 34 years, and gestational age at presentation varied between 10 and 36 weeks. Management involved supportive care, dietary modifications, insulin-heparin therapy, and postpartum cholecystectomy when indicated. All mothers survived, although one case was complicated by recurrent fetal losses due to severe hypertriglyceridemia. Early diagnosis and individualized management of AP during pregnancy are essential to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes, and this is best achieved through awareness of risk factors, understanding of pregnancy-related physiological changes, and a multidisciplinary approach.