ABSTRACT
Acute pancreatitis may occur as an isolated illness or may be a complication of many other childhood illnesses. Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease involving changes in the structure and histology of the organ. There are no population-based studies of the incidence of acute pancreatitis in children. In some cases, acute pancreatitis may be accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, ileus, abdominal distention, fever, jaundice, ascites, and/or pleural effusion. The metabolic derangements most often associated with acute pancreatitis are diabetic ketoacidosis, hypercalcemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, but some inborn errors of metabolism can result in acute pancreatitis. The medical management of acute pancreatitis in children is bowel rest, fluids, and pain control. Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis requires at least two of these three features: first, a clinical picture consistent with acute pancreatitis; second, elevation of amylase or lipase to at least three times normal level; and third, radiographic changes on ultrasound or computed tomography consistent with acute pancreatitis.
