Acute pancreatitis in paediatric age

Abstract

Introduction: Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process of the pancreas that is associated with systemic and metabolic alterations due to the release of hydrolytic enzymes, toxins and cytokines and can result in the failure of various organs and systems. It is an entity that is appearing at an increasing rate in children, which is worrying given the paucity of research in pediatric patients.

Objective: To examine the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis in pediatric ages.

Cases presentation: Two male patients of 10 and 18 years respectively, who were admitted at the Pediatric Hospital of Matanzas in September 2021, with a clinical picture of pain in the upper hemiabdomen with irradiation to the back accompanied by vomiting and high concentrations of both pancreatic enzymes. Both presented a mild acute pancreatitis, in which the first recommendations for the treatment of pediatric acute pancreatitis were applied, based on the optimization of analgesia, the administration of intravenous fluid therapy and the initial pancreatic rest with early reintroduction of enteral nutrition, which brought with it a good clinical evolution.

Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon entity in the pediatric population, so it is necessary to raise the level of clinical suspicion in the face of abdominal pain that facilitates early recognition of this condition. This should establish adequate treatment and detect possible complications.