Severe acute pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst formation caused by drugs in children. Presentation of three clinical cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Acute severe pancreatitis associated with drugs is an uncommon disorder in children but its incidence is increasing with more extensive use of certain drugs. We present three children with severe drug induced pancreatitis caused by valproic acid and L-asparaginase who developed pancreatic pseudocysts. The children required medical supportive therapy in the Intensive Case Unit and one needed surgical intervention for the pseudocyst. National and international reports were reviewed. The aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and current management of acute severe pancreatitis and pseudocysts in children are discussed.