What is pancreatitis in children

Currently, there is no specific medication or cure for chronic pancreatitis. Supportive care may include:. For children with chronic pancreatitis and pain, a surgical procedure called lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, or Peustow, may be recommended. This procedure connects a segment of the small intestine to the pancreas to improve drainage from the primary pancreatic duct.

For Patients. How is pancreatitis diagnosed in children? Acute pancreatitis There is no single test to detect acute pancreatitis. Imaging tests for acute pancreatitis may include: ultrasound examination magnetic resonance imaging scan , also known as an MRI computed tomography , also called a CT scan Blood tests and radiology scans, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, may not always provide a clear-cut diagnosis.

Chronic pancreatitis Unlike acute, a blood test generally does not identify chronic pancreatitis. Generally, thefluid will go away with time. If the pockets of fluid cause symptoms, doctors may recommend draining the fluid.

The symptoms of fluid collections include vomiting from blockage of the stomach or part of the small intestine and fever due to infection. Rarely, the fluid collections will cause bleeding into the abdomen or intestines. Death from acute pancreatitis is quite rare in children—but it can happen.

Most deaths associated with pancreatitis occur in children who have a significant illness that damages multiple organs. Yes, it can. Even fewer will have multiple episodes. If your child has another episode, his or her doctor will do additional testing to search for known causes of recurrent acute pancreatitis. There are some treatable causes of acute pancreatitis.

These include gallstone disease, high blood calcium, high blood triglycerides, and abnormalities of the bile ducts that come from the liver, or the ducts within the pancreas. Treatment of these disorders can help prevent future episodes.

Unfortunately, for most patients, there is no way to prevent pancreatitis. The National Pancreas Foundation thanks the following physicians for providing this information:. Acute Pancreatitis in Children Causes of Pediatric Acute Pancreatitis Many cases of acute pancreatitis occur in children who have a separate illness. What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?

How do you diagnose pancreatitis? As the pancreas heals, doctors can give medicine to control pain and treat nausea and vomiting. Kids who can drink enough fluids and whose pain eases with oral pain medicine can be cared for at home. Children with more severe pancreatitis will need care in the hospital. They'll get intravenous IV fluids and pain medicine. The care team will watch for complications, such as infection, breathing problems, or kidney problems.

Doctors recommend that kids with mild pancreatitis start eating as soon as possible. Kids with more serious cases may get formula through a feeding tube that goes right into the stomach or small intestine. Some children with pancreatitis need a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP.

ERCP lets doctors see the ducts in the pancreas and liver. During the ERCP, doctors can remove gallstones or find and treat other causes of pancreatitis. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, and intense abdominal pain, which can come on suddenly and can then be constant or periodic.

If symptoms continue, or if they keep coming back, the condition is classified as chronic pancreatitis. Like acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis can result from stones and other blockages of the pancreatic duct, or from trauma to the organ itself. But it can also be caused by genetic or metabolic abnormalities. The symptoms are similar to those suffered in acute pancreatitis, but with additional long-term effects that sometimes include weight loss, jaundice, and diabetes. We sometimes use ERCP to remove stones or to bypass strictures.

Some children with chronic pancreatitis are put on specialized diets or receive fat-soluble supplements for vitamins A, D, E, and K.