Pancreatitis in children--experience with 43 cases

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Pancreatitis in children is uncommon but associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
• A review of 43 pediatric cases over 10 years was conducted.
• The study highlights the importance of understanding diverse etiologies in pediatric pancreatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the causes, clinical presentation, and outcomes of pancreatitis in children.
• To review diagnostic modalities and management strategies for pediatric pancreatitis.
• To discuss the association between pancreatitis and structural anomalies in children, including the first review of pancreatitis in Chinese children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 43 children (ages 2-18) diagnosed with pancreatitis over 10 years.
• Diagnosis based on intra-operative findings or clinical and laboratory evidence of pancreatic inflammation.
• Etiologies categorized into trauma, systemic disease, structural disease, toxins/drugs, and idiopathic.

Main Results:

• Trauma was the most common cause (16 cases), followed by systemic disease (10), structural disease (8), and toxins/drugs (4); 5 cases were idiopathic.
• Abdominal pain (95%) and vomiting (56%) were the most frequent symptoms.
• Morbidity included pseudocyst (10 cases), relapse (4), and hyperglycemia (4); one fatal outcome occurred.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric pancreatitis arises from diverse causes and can lead to severe complications.
• Prompt diagnosis, vigilant monitoring, and proactive treatment are crucial for minimizing morbidity and mortality.
• Early recognition and management are key to improving outcomes in pediatric pancreatitis cases.