ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN CHILDREN

[摘要] Four cases of acute pancreatitis in children are presented. Thirty-six cases reported in the literature are briefly reviewed.The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is rarely made in children before operation or necropsy because the disease is confused with the more frequent causes of abdominal pain and vomiting in this age group. However, the clinical history and abdominal signs may be suggestive of acute pancreatitis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by demonstrating elevation of the concentration of amylase in the serum, provided mumps is not present.In contrast to adult patients, acute pancreatitis in children is seldom related to disease of the biliary system.Acute pancreatitis in children may be produced by trauma, acute infection and mechanical obstruction of the pancreatic ducts by round worms. The etiology of the majority of cases, however, remains unknown.The complications of acute pancreatitis in children include diabetes mellitus, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, pseudocyst formation and hypocalcemic tetany.Treatment of uncomplicated acute pancreatitis should be conservative if the diagnosis can be made without operation.

[学科分类] 儿科学