Definition

The pancreas is a long, flat organ located behind the stomach. It creates enzymes that help digest food as well as hormones, like insulin, that help control blood sugar.

Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly.

The Pancreas

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Causes

The most common cause of pancreatitis in children is trauma to the abdomen. Other causes include:

• Infections of the pancreas
• Problems with liver, gallbladder or tubes that connect liver and pancreas

Sometimes the cause is unknown.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your child’s risk of acute pancreatitis include:

• Certain medicine
• Specific viral infection
• Problems with how organs developed before birth
• Hyperlipidemia —excess lipids (fats) in the blood
• Hypercalcemia —excess calcium in the blood
• Cystic fibrosis
• Gallstones
• Diseases that affect blood vessels such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Pain and swelling in the belly
• Back pain
• Nausea and vomiting—vomit may be yellow, green, or brown
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your child’s symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Blood will be taken for testing as well.

Images of the organs in the belly may be taken with:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• Contrast-enhanced CT scan
• MRI scan

Treatment

Pancreatitis may get better on its own. Care may be needed for frequent vomiting and poor appetite. Fluids and nutrition may be provided through one of the following:

• IV fluids
• Total parenteral nutrition—nutrition given by IV
• Feeding tube—tube is passed through nose and into stomach

Further treatment may be needed if the pancreatitis is severe or does not pass on its own. Options include:

Prevention

Not all pancreatitis can be prevented. Managing high triglycerides may help to reduce the chance of pancreatitis.