Acute pancreatitis in pediatric patients

Abstract

The objective is to review current concepts about acute pancreatitis in children, in terms of etiology, clinical aspects, diagnosis, prognosis and new therapies. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease caused by the activation, interstitial liberation and autodigestion of pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes. The etiologies of AP in children are trauma, infections, toxics, biliary tract obstruction, genetic, metabolic, systemic disease and idiopathics. In the mayoriity of cases, they constitute a benign self-limited process with good prognosis. The 1992 Atlanta Classification estabhshes the categories of mild AP, severe AP, necrosis, acute liquid collection, pseudocyst and pancreatic abscess. The most important symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. The hematologic and bioquimics analysis have a prognostic valué, while the diagnosis is conñrmed by enzymatic and imagenologic study. The treatment is supportive, based on monitorization, enteral rest and appropriate pain analgesia. According to the etiology and severity of the case, other therapies should be used, like endovenous antibiotics, surgical intervention of the biliary pathology or pseudocyst, abscess or necrosis and , finally, the use of new drugs including Octeotride, Lexipafant, antioxidant agents and pancreatic enzymes.