Overview

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

SymptomsandDiagnosis

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

Treatments

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:

Medications

Pain medicine may be given. It may be over-the-counter or prescription. Antibiotics may also be given if there is an infection.

Other medicine may need to be stopped or changed if it is making symptoms worse.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed for severe problems. This may include bleeding, large infection, or uncontrolled pain.

Cysts and pseudocysts can also develop because of pancreatitis. Surgery may be needed to remove or drain them.

Prevention

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

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.